Boar’s Head Recall: Listeria Lawsuit Ongoing (Latest 2024 Updates)

Update: Boar’s Head Plant Closes Amid Listeria Outbreak Controversy

September 16, 2024 – Boar’s Head announced Last week that it is “indefinitely” closing its manufacturing plant in Jarratt, Virginia, which has been linked to a listeria outbreak that has sickened dozens and killed at least 9 people nationwide, according to FOX News [10.]

“Given the seriousness of the outbreak, and the fact that it originated at Jarratt, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location,” a Boar’s Head spokesperson said. “Under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course.”

The decision to close the plant came after Boar’s Head identified the root cause of the contamination as a specific production process that existed at the facility and was used only for liverwurst, which the company said it will discontinue permanently.

Boar’s Head Recalls 7 Million Pounds of Deli Meat, Poultry for Listeria Contamination

July 30, 2024 – Jarratt, VA.-based Boar’s Head Provisions Co. expanded its prior recall to include approximately 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry products, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) [2].

Boar’s Head initiated the recall on July 26, 2024, after whole genome sequencing found that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

As of July 30, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Samples were collected from sick people from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024

The expansion includes 71 products made between May 10 and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. Affected products include meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations. These products have “sell by” dates ranging from 29 July 2024 through 17-OCT-24.

The recalled Boar’s Head meats were distributed to retail locations across the U.S., and shipped with the establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

Boar’s Head said that all recalled meats have been removed from sale. “All Boar’s Head items currently available in food retail and food service outlets are not part of the recall,” the company said.

Below is a list of meats affected by the recall listed on the Boar’s Head website [3]. This recall only includes products with purchased-by dates before July 31.

• Ham: All Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham, All Natural Traditional Uncured Ham, BourbonRidge Uncured Smoked Ham, Brown Sugar & Spice Off the Bone Ham, Gourmet Pepper Brand Ham, Hickory Smoked Roast Uncured Ham, Italian Cappy Ham, Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham, Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham, Maple Glazed Roast Pork Loin, Peppenero Garlic Ham, Porchetta Roasted Seasoned Pork (Foodservice), Roasted Pork, Rosemary & Sundried Tomato Ham, SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Ham, Sweet Slice Smoked Uncured Ham, Tavern Ham, Virginia Ham.
• Bologna: Pork & Beef Bologna, 33% Lower Sodium Bologna, Beef Bologna, Beef Salami, Garlic Bologna, Head Cheese, Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, Liverwurst Pate, Olive Terrine Loaf, Pickle & Pepper Terrine Loaf, Spiced Ham.
• Frankfurters: Uncured Pork & Beef Frankfurters, Uncured Pork & Beef Frankfurters – Natural Casing, Uncured Beef Frankfurters, Uncured Beef Frankfurters- Natural Casing, Uncured Cocktail Frankfurters, Uncured Beef Knockwurst.
• Sausage: Bratwurst, Hot Smoked Uncured Sausage, Uncured Kielbasa, All Natura Chicken Sausage – Smoked Andouille.
• Old Country: Old Country Brand All Nat Uncured Smoked Ham, Old Country Brand All Natural Uncured Ham, Old Country Brand Beechwood Smoked Ham, Old Country Brand BourbonRidge Smoked Ham, Old Country Brand Brown Sugar & Spice Delight Off the Bone Ham, Old Country Brand Cappy Brand Ham, Old Country Brand Gourmet Pepper Ham, Old Country Brand Habanero Ham, Old Country Brand Rosemary Tomato Ham, Old Country Brand Black Forest Ham, Old Country Brand Canadian Style Bacon, Old Country Brand Cappy Ham, Old Country Brand Hot Butt Cappy Ham, Old Country Brand Seasoned Fresh Ham, Old Country Brand Sweet Slice Smoked Ham, Old Country Brand Tavern Ham.

Listeria Symptoms

According to the FDA, Listeriosis symptoms can vary widely in severity and duration, lasting from days to several weeks [4]. Mild symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may present with headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, potentially leading to death in vulnerable populations such as the very young, elderly, and immune-compromised.

People infected with L. monocytogenes may start to see symptoms in a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating contaminated food. More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop

If you suspect listeriosis, consult a healthcare provider immediately.

Boar’s Head Expands Recall to Include 7 Million Pounds of Deli Meat Linked to Listeria Outbreak: 6ABC News Philadelphia Video

FSIS Recommendation

If you purchased any Boar’s Head meat that is affected by this recall, you should not eat it, and either throw it away or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. Anyone concerned about a potential listeria food poisoning illness linked to recalled Boar’s Head meat should contact their healthcare provider or dial 9-1-1 immediately.

CDC Listeria Statistics

• Leading Cause of Death: The CDC identifies Listeria as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S.
• Intestinal Illness: Listeria typically causes mild intestinal illness, but can become invasive when it spreads beyond the intestines.
• Tracking Invasive Cases: The CDC tracks only invasive Listeria cases.
• Pregnancy Risks: Invasive Listeria during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe newborn infection, with fetal loss in 20% of cases and newborn death in 3%.
• At-Risk Groups: Older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe Listeria infections, like sepsis or meningitis, requiring hospitalization in 87% of cases, and 1 in 6 patients die.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [5]

2 Deaths in South Carolina Linked to Recalled Boar’s Head Meat

September 6, 2024 – A pair of recent listeria food poisoning deaths in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina have been associated with the ongoing recall involving Boar’s Head deli meat, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) [8].

Unfortunately, an outbreak of Listeria has reached our state, and is potentially the cause of two deaths here,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “We want to ensure South Carolinians are aware of this outbreak and that everyone takes necessary steps to avoid consuming products that could be the source of infection

DPH and CDC recommend the following steps to avoid Listeria:

• Avoid consuming recalled meats: Dispose of them immediately or contact the store for return options.
• Inspect your refrigerator: Check for any recalled deli meats and remove or return them, as Listeria can thrive in refrigerated environments.
• Thoroughly clean surfaces: Sanitize your refrigerator, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with recalled meats to prevent contamination.

Multiple Health Violations Found in Boar’s Head Plant Following Deli Meat Recall

Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have cited Boar’s Head for dozens of health violations found at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia, according to CBS News [9.].

The inspection found mold, mildew and insects throughout the Boar’s Head facility, which will remain closed until it can show it can “produce safe product,” FSIS said.

Records obtained by CBS indicated that there have been at least 69 instances of “noncompliance” flagged by inspectors at the Boar’s Head plant over the past year.

Boar’s Head Listeria Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Florida

September 4, 2024 – A family from Virginia has filed a wrongful death claim against Boar’s Head in Sarasota County, Florida, on behalf of a relative who allegedly died from listeria food poisoning after eating the company’s deli meat, according to ABC 7 Chicago [7.].

The victim, 88-year-old Gunter Morgenstein, purchased Boar’s Head liverwurst in late June and soon thereafter became seriously ill. After being hospitalized for 10 days, Morgenstein died on July 18 from a brain infection caused by listeria bacteria, according to the lawsuit.

Morgenstein was a German-born Holocaust survivor who moved to Canada and then the U.S. as a young man and later became a flamboyant hair stylist who styled celebrities such as Tom Jones and was known for his funny, outgoing personality. He enjoyed liverwurst regularly, usually spread on bagels, insisting on the Boar’s Head brand because of the company’s reputation, believing it was top quality.

I think it is disgusting and shameful,” said Morgenstein’s son, Garshon. “I’m just even more in shock that this was allowed to happen. It’s really just a senseless accident and tragedy for something that just should not have ever happened. He still had many good years left

Lawsuit Claims Alabama Man Developed Listeria Food Poisoning from Boar’s Head Deli Meat

August 29, 2024 – According to WBRC FOX 6, a new lawsuit filed in federal court in Alabama alleges that a man was hospitalized with severe food poisoning symptoms in late July after eating Boar’s Head Bologna purchased from a grocery store in Huntsville [1].

According to the complaint, a man bought Boar’s Head Bologna in late July from a grocery store in Huntsville and soon after eating it, was hospitalized with fever, headaches, nausea, and other related symptoms. This man’s condition worsened, according to the complaint, and he began to have drooping on one side of his face, and difficulty breathing to the point he needed to be placed on a ventilator

The man was transferred to another hospital and given a spinal tap on Aug. 7, which confirmed the presence of listeria, the complaint states. Sadly, his condition has deteriorated to the point where he is unable to communicate, “and it is currently unclear if he will survive.”

Another Death, 10 Hospitalizations Linked to Boar’s Head Deli Meat

August 9, 2024 – Another person has died and 10 others have been hospitalized in an outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, according to Fox Business [6]. This brings the total to 3 deaths and 43 Listeria infections in 13 states, according to the CDC.

A pregnant woman from Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against Boar’s Head after claiming that she “nearly lost her unborn child” when infected by listeria after eating the company’s deli meat sold at a Publix grocery store in Florida.

In a statement to FOX Business, Boar’s Head said that it expresses its deepest sympathies for affected families and that it is “conducting a full review of processes and procedures to ensure we consistently meet the highest standards of safety and quality. As soon as we learned that our liverwurst was linked to the outbreak, we voluntarily expanded our recall, as a precautionary measure, to include all other products made at the same facility

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See all related food poisoning lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Boar’s Head Recall Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Boar’s Head lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Listeria food poisoning cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one developed symptoms of listeria after eating recalled Boar’s Head meat, you should contact a lawyer immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Boar’s Head Lawsuit and we can help.

References:

1. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co–expands-recall
2. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/listeria-listeriosis
4. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/faq.html
6. https://www.wbrc.com/2024/08/22/federal-lawsuit-claims-alabama-man-sickened-by-contaminated-boars
7. https://abc7chicago.com/post/wrongful-death-lawsuit-filed-boars-head-listeria-outbreak
8. https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-reports-south-carolina-deaths-linked-us-listeria-outbreak
9. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bugs-mold-mildew-inspection-boars-head-plant-listeria/
10.https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/boars-head-discontinues-product-closes-facility-linked-listeria-outbreak-indefinitely