Largest Listeria Outbreak in a Decade Linked to Boar’s Head Deli Meat
On August 28, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1.] announced that 14 additional Listeria food poisoning illnesses had been reported since its last update, bringing the total up to 57 infections in 18 U.S. states, which is the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011, according to ABC News [2.].
“All 57 people have been hospitalized in the latest outbreak, the agency confirmed, adding that six new deaths include one from Florida, one from Tennessee, one from New Mexico, one from New York and two from South Carolina.”
As a result of the ongoing outbreak, Boar’s Head has recalled millions of pounds of meat, including approximately 70 products made from ham, beef and poultry that were manufactured at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia [3.]. The recall mostly affects products that are sliced at the deli counter, ABC said.
Boar’s Head Listeria Lawsuit Allegations
Since the initial Boar’s Head recall on July 25, numerous lawsuits have been filed in courthouses across the U.S., entered by individuals who allegedly developed listeria food poisoning, as well as class action claims seeking compensation for affected consumers. However, the most serious allegations have been raised by pregnant women who claim they were sickened after eating Boar’s Head meat.
One such complaint was filed in Minnesota on August 7 by Plaintiff Ashley Solberg, who claims that her unborn baby’s life was unnecessarily put at risk after she ate recalled Boar’s Head deli meat [5.].
Solberg, who was 35 weeks pregnant at the time, developed serious symptoms of listeria food poisoning, including diarrhea, fever, chills, and headaches, leading to a 6-day hospital stay and continued antibiotic medication regimen after she was discharged.
Solberg’s case underscores the dangers of listeria infections during pregnancy, with doctors confirming her diagnosis through blood cultures and initiating intensive treatment to prevent miscarriage risks.
Solberg expressed ongoing concerns about the potential long-term effects of the infection on her child, stating that Boar’s Head had a duty to ensure their products were safe for consumption and free from harmful bacteria.
Boar’s Head Class Action Lawsuits Target False Marketing
Class action lawsuits have also been filed against Boar’s Head, alleging that the company failed to disclose the risk of listeria contamination on its product packaging.
On August 16, Samantha Chuskas filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claiming that Boar’s Head misrepresented the safety of their recalled products through marketing and advertising [6.].
Similarly, Rita Torres filed a class action lawsuit on August 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, accusing the company of deceptive marketing practices by not warning consumers about the potential listeria risks associated with its products [7.].
The lawsuits argue that while Boar’s Head doesn’t need to claim that their products contain listeria, they should at least warn consumers of the possible risk on the packaging.
“Defendant’s advertising and marketing campaign is false, deceptive, and misleading because the Products do contain, or risk containing, Listeria monocytogenes, which is dangerous to one’s health and well-being. Nevertheless, Defendant does not list or mention Listeria monocytogenes anywhere on the Products’ packaging or labeling,” Torres stated.
Understanding Listeria Monocytogenes and Its Risks
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of harmful bacteria commonly found in moist environments such as soil, water, decaying vegetation, and animals [4.]. Remarkably resilient, it can survive and even thrive under refrigeration and other food preservation methods. Consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can lead to a serious illness known as listeriosis.
This bacteria is typically spread through food that is harvested, processed, prepared, packaged, transported, or stored in contaminated environments. Contamination can occur from raw materials, water, soil, and even air. Additionally, pets that consume contaminated food can introduce Listeria into the home environment, further spreading the bacteria.
Listeria Symptoms
Listeriosis can present with a variety of symptoms, lasting from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the infection.
Common symptoms of a mild infection include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more serious cases, listeriosis may cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
In vulnerable populations, such as the very young, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals, the infection can be fatal. Symptoms may appear within a few hours or up to two to three days after consuming contaminated food.
More severe forms of the illness can take anywhere from three days to three months to develop. Given the potential severity of listeriosis, it is important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms that may indicate an L. monocytogenes infection.
Death Toll Climbs to 9 in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Boar’s Head Deli Meat
CDC Recommendations
- Avoid consuming recalled deli products: Dispose of them immediately or contact the store for return options.
- High-risk individuals: Pregnant women, seniors (65+), and those with weakened immune systems should avoid deli-sliced meats unless heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before consumption.
- Thoroughly clean your kitchen: Sanitize your refrigerator, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with sliced deli meats.
- Monitor your health: If you experience symptoms of Listeria and have recently eaten deli meats, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
- Business precautions: Establishments that received recalled meats should take extra measures, including thorough cleaning and sanitization, discarding opened sliced meats and cheeses, and adhering to USDA-FSIS guidelines to prevent Listeria contamination in deli areas.
Do I Have a Boar’s Head Listeria Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Boar’s Head Listeria Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new listeria food poisoning cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one experienced symptoms of Listeria food poisoning after eating recalled Boar’s Head meats, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Boar’s Head Listeria Class Action Lawsuit and our lawyers can help.
References:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0828-listeria-outbreak-deli-meats.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0828-listeria-outbreak-deli-meats.html
3. https://boarshead.com/pages/product-recall-full-product-list
4. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/listeria-listeriosis
5. https://www.classactionlawsuithelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-07-Solberg-Complaint.pdf
6. https://www.classactionlawsuithelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-16-Chuskas-Complaint.pdf
7. https://www.classactionlawsuithelp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-01-Complaint.pdf