Daisy Brand Headcheese — possible Listeria contamination
Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in headcheese samples; linked to an outbreak of listeriosis in Illinois
Not recalled, but under an advisory as of Sep 2, 2026: a regulator flagged Daisy Brand Headcheese by Daisy Brand on May 9, 2026 for Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in headcheese samples; linked to an outbreak of listeriosis in Illinois without ordering it off shelves. The source gave no class; our read of the hazard is serious health risk.
This is an advisory, not a recall. A regulator flagged something worth knowing; nobody has said "pull it from shelves." Read the source and decide.
What happened
Headcheese deli meat sold at retail delis in Illinois and Indiana, made by Crawford Sausage Co., may be contaminated with Listeria. The product has a "USE BY" date of MAR 26 2026 and carries USDA establishment number EST. 21406. Three people in Illinois have gotten sick from Listeria, and testing on the headcheese is still being checked to see if it matches the outbreak strain. No formal recall was issued because the product is no longer available for sale, but some may still be in home refrigerators.
What to do
If you bought sliced headcheese from a retail deli in Illinois or Indiana labeled "DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE" with a USE BY date of MAR 26 2026, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store. Clean your refrigerator thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination. If you or someone at higher risk (pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised) ate this product and develops flu-like symptoms within two months, contact a doctor and mention this exposure.
| Product | UPC | Lot / codes | Best by | Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE | — | — | MAR 26 2026 | Various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis |
| DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE (with red "HOT" sticker) | — | — | MAR 26 2026 | Various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis, red sticker indicating HOT |
IL, IN
- FSIS — primary source, first seen Sep 1, 2026
Brand history: Daisy Brand · Report an error · Extraction confidence 90%
Questions
Every answer is a field on this notice.
Is Daisy Brand Headcheese recalled?
Not recalled, but under an advisory as of Sep 2, 2026: a regulator flagged Daisy Brand Headcheese by Daisy Brand on May 9, 2026 for Listeria monocytogenes contamination found in headcheese samples; linked to an outbreak of listeriosis in Illinois without ordering it off shelves. The source gave no class; our read of the hazard is serious health risk.
What should I do?
If you bought sliced headcheese from a retail deli in Illinois or Indiana labeled "DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE" with a USE BY date of MAR 26 2026, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store. Clean your refrigerator thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination. If you or someone at higher risk (pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised) ate this product and develops flu-like symptoms within two months, contact a doctor and mention this exposure.
Where was it sold?
The notice names no retailer. Distribution: IL, IN.
Which lot codes and UPCs are affected?
2 products listed. No upcs given. No lot codes given. Match the code printed on your package, not the product name.