Overview
- Federal food-safety inspectors reported an unopened sample of Daisy Brand headcheese tested positive for Listeria during an Illinois outbreak probe that has sickened at least three people.
- The product, made by Crawford Sausage Co., was produced January 20, 2026, labeled with Use By March 26, 2026, bore establishment number EST. 21406, and was shipped to retail delis in Illinois and Indiana.
- FSIS issued a public health alert instead of a recall because the items are no longer for sale, yet officials warned consumers the meat may still be in home fridges.
- Officials urged people to throw away or return the headcheese and to wash and sanitize refrigerators and deli-sliced items stored nearby to prevent cross-contamination.
- Further lab work is underway to see if the positive sample matches the outbreak strain, and Crawford Sausage said it has stopped making the headcheese while it examines the cause.