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The Boar’s Head facility closes amid the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011. The Jarratt, Virginia Facility permanently closed its doors this month and has discontinued the liverwurst product that appeared to be source of the outbreak.
But liverwurst was not the only aspect of this decision. The inspection that took place after people began feeling sick put a spotlight on the facility. Exposing significant violations potentially contributing to serious health risks in the products made at the location.
The deli meat outbreak linked to a Boar’s Head facility prompted a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outbreak in mid July that has impacted 18 different states. So far there have been 57 hospitalizations associated with the deli meat giant’s products. There have been nine deaths reported.
Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak
57 cases
57 hospitalizations
9 deaths
18 states involved
The investigation revealed that meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, were making people sick.
The facility has not reopened following the U.S. Department of Agriculture notice of suspension issued on July 31, 2024 that required the facility to shut down until safety issues were resolved at the plant.
Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria bacterial infection, is a complicated illness. There are two categories of illness, depending on the location of the infection. There are intestinal illnesses and invasive illnesses. These symptoms also present differently in pregnant and non-pregnant patients.
Intestinal illness is generally the first step in listeriosis infection. It is contained within the digestive tract with relatively straightforward symptoms.
Those who are pregnant often experience milder symptoms.
Common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting that usually starts within a day or so of consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. These symptoms usually persist around one to three days. However, it could take up to two months for some people to show symptoms of infection.
Intestinal Listeria illnesses usually go unreported because most people experience mild enough symptoms to recover on their own without medical intervention. Treating symptoms with rest and over the counter remedies can help those people.
Even those who do seek medical help for dangerous dehydration may not be properly diagnosed unless specific diagnostic tests are performed.
Unless the illness becomes serious or invasive, antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed.
Invasive illness occurs when the bacteria spread beyond the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. Symptoms vary widely between pregnant and non-pregnant people.
Invasive illness in pregnant people usually appears as flu-like symptoms. Fever, muscle aches, and fatigue are common. In some cases, pregnant people do not show any signs of illness at all.
The biggest risk for those who are pregnant is to the fetus or their newborn. Listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Invasive illness in non-pregnant people can also present flu-like symptoms. In addition to possible fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, these people may experience other serious symptoms. Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and/or seizures may occur.
The mortality rate of invasive illness in non-pregnant people is also high. Nearly 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their infection.
A 44 page inspection report outlining 69 serious health and safety violations over the past year was the nail in the casket for the Jarratt facility.
Meat particles found on the floor and within machinery throughout the facility, obvious odors from rotting meat, pooled blood on the floor, insects in the facility and in vats of product, liquid leaking from the ceiling onto food supplies, mold, and other gross unsanitary food preparation areas.
With “gross” being the key word. Meaning both “widespread” and “disgusting.”
The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was found in packages of Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, prompting a recall.
The recall, which started out as a small notice for their Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst quickly expanded to all products manufactured at the facility.
But not fast enough. People continued to fall sick.
7 million pounds of meat recalled
About seven million pounds of meat were subject to recall in the end.
Deli meat poses a complicated problem. The nature of the deli counter and multiple cross-contamination opportunities creates a serious concern when one product is potentially contaminated.
Shared equipment, multiple open products, and the number of times the product is touched prior to touching a different, previously unaffected product increases the likelihood of spreading contamination.
This compounded the impact a single product has on contributing to an outbreak.
In a statement on the company’s website on September 13, 2024, Boar’s head apologizes for the recent Listeria monocytogenes contamination. They outline what they plan to do to remedy the situation.
The firm indicates that “we have been conducting an exhaustive investigation into how our liverwurst product became adulterated,” and explains that they are not only looking into what went wrong at the Jarratt facility, but other Boar’s Head Provisions meat production facilities as well.
In their statement, Boar’s Head blames a production process specific to Liverwurst production as the source of the issue.
“First and foremost, our investigation has identified the root cause of the contamination as a specific production process that only existed at the Jarratt facility and was used only for liverwurst.”
Following the disclosed notice of suspension issued by the USDA, the facility explains that they have made the decision to permanently close the plant.
“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, which has not been operational since late July 2024.”
A move that impacts hundreds of jobs in that it is one of the area’s largest employers.
In an effort to prevent future health and safety problems associated with Boar’s Head products, the company has implemented a few new measures.
If you have become sick from consuming Boar’s Head deli meat products you may have a legal case for financial compensation. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Listeria lawyer that can help.
Listeria lawsuits to help victims of negligence and product liability pay for medical bills, lost wages, and all of the burdens associated with foodborne illness, or the care of a loved one are taking place across the county.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many people with cases just like yours recover millions of dollars in product contamination and product liability lawsuits. They can help you too.
Call (833) 330-3663 or email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation to determine if you have a legal case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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