Updated May 15 with whole genome sequencing test results. Daisy brand headcheese is the source of a Listeria outbreak that includes at least three people in Illinois. Eating food contaminated with Listeria can cause a severe, sometimes fatal infection. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
A pubic health alert has been issued for the product made by Crawford Sausage Co., Inc. of Chicago.
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Public Health Alert for Daisy Headcheese
Headcheese is a ready-to-eat, seasoned pork meat cooked into a loaf of jelly-style product. Because the specific batch of headcheese is no longer for sale, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for headcheese, rather than requesting that Crawford Sausage issue a recall.
The health alert includes the following products produced on January 20, 2026, and sold at retail deli counters in Illinois and Indiana.
- “DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE,” with a “USE BY” date of “MAR 26 2026,” various weights
- “DAISY BRAND Meat Products HEADCHEESE,” with a red sticker indicating “HOT” and a “USE BY” date of “MAR 26 2026,” various weights
The establishment number “EST. 21406” appears inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label.
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Daisy Brand Headcheese
FSIS, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local health departments in Illinois are investigating a Listeria outbreak that includes three people in Illinois. Genomic testing confirmed that three people were all sickened by the same strain of Listeria, this means they were likely exposed to the same source of contamination and asked to list foods they recently ate when they were interviewed health officials.
During these interviews, the patients mentioned headcheese, so FSIS collected an unopened headcheese product sample and tested it; the results were positive for Listeria. Further testing, called whole genome sequencing, confirmed that the headcheese samples tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria.
will determine if the product samples are contaminated with the same Listeria strain that was cultured from patients.
Other Headcheese Recalls and Outbreaks
Headcheese has been linked to other food poisoning recalls and outbreaks.
2012 Richard’s Hog Head Cheese Salmonella Outbreak
In 2012, a Salmonella outbreak linked to Richard’s Hog Head Cheese sickened six people in Louisiana. Stallings Head Cheese Co., Inc., of Houston, Texas, which produced the product, issued a recall of 4,700 pounds of Richard’s Hog Head Cheese sold at retail stores throughout Louisiana and Texas.
2011 Deadly Veron Hog Head Cheese Listeria Outbreak
In 2011, a head cheese Listeria outbreak linked to Veron Hog Chees sickened 14 people. Seven people were hospitalized, and two people died. Veron Food Inc. issued a recall for 500,000 pounds of meat products, including ready-to-eat hog head cheese.
Listeria Symptoms
Listeria is found in nature but grows well in the cool, damp environments of refrigerated food processing facilities. For this reason, food manufacturers must take measures to prevent Listeria from growing in their facilities and contaminating the food that is being produced.
Symptoms can appear within 24 hours but may take up to 10 weeks (70 days) after consumption of contaminated food to develop. They include:
- Severe headache
- High fever
- Stiff neck
- Other muscle stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Pregnancy risks include miscarriage or stillbirth, even with mild symptoms.
Anyone who has eaten Daisy headcheese and develops these symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
What to Do If You Bought This Headcheese
Even though the product is no longer for sale, FSIS is concerned that some consumers may have it in their refrigerators. If you purchased Daisy headcheese:
- Do not eat it
- Save receipts and packaging if you have them.
- Clean and sanitize the shelves, bins, and other interior surfaces of your fridge.
- See a doctor promptly if you have symptoms (especially if pregnant, older than 65, or immunocompromised).
- Consider contacting our legal team if you or a family member was diagnosed with Listeriosis (contact us online)
How Legal Claims Work in this Outbreak
Potential defendants: We look at manufacturer(s), ingredient suppliers, and retailers.
Evidence: We obtain medical records, lab tests, product tests, and purchase records.
Damages: You may be entitled to money for medical costs, lost income, pain, and suffering.
Why Families Choose Pritzker Hageman
Our legal team pursues all responsible companies in the distribution chain. We make house and hospital calls nationwide. We’ve represented clients in every major Listeria outbreak and won numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries, including
- $6.4 million for neurologic injury from a contaminated deli product
- $4.5 million for permanent brain damage from contaminated food
- $3 million for a pregnant woman who lost her unborn twins after eating contaminated food
- $1 million for illness from contaminated deli meat
If you were sickened in this outbreak and would like a free consultation with our experienced team of Listeria lawyers, please contact us today by calling 888-377-8900 (toll-free), texting 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below.