Boar's Head Faces Class Action Suit Amid Massive Listeria-Related Recall

Boar's Head Provisions, a family-owned company established in 1905, is confronting legal challenges following a substantial product recall. A proposed class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court on August 1, 2024, just one day after the company expanded its recall to encompass more than seven million pounds of deli meats and other products due to potential listeria contamination.

The legal action was initiated by Rita Torres, a Boar's Head customer who claims she purchased a recalled product. Torres asserts she would have avoided the purchase had the company provided adequate warning about the possible contamination. This lawsuit appears to be the first proposed class action related to the recalls, based on court records.

The recall's scope has grown significantly since its inception. On July 26, 2024, Boar's Head initially flagged over 200,000 pounds of liverwurst and other deli products. However, on August 1, 2024, the company dramatically expanded the recall to include more than 70 products manufactured at its Jarratt, Virginia facility between May and July 2024.

Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for the recall, poses significant health risks. It can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that particularly affects pregnant individuals, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly. The incubation period for listeriosis can range from 3 to 70 days, making it challenging to trace the source of infection. Notably, listeria can survive refrigeration and freezing, complicating food safety measures.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that as of August 1, 2024, 34 people across 13 states have been sickened in the outbreak, resulting in 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. This high rate of hospitalization underscores the severity of listeriosis, which has a mortality rate of 20-30% in high-risk individuals.

Boar's Head, known for its "Compromise elsewhere" slogan and wild boar's head logo, has advised customers to discard the affected products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. The company, which offers over 500 premium delicatessen products and sells in all 50 U.S. states, has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

"Customers are advised to discard the products or return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund."

This incident marks a significant challenge for Boar's Head, which has built its reputation on quality and health-conscious offerings. The company was one of the first to offer lower sodium deli meats and maintains a no-antibiotics-ever policy for its pork and poultry. All Boar's Head products are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.

In addition to the class action suit, at least one other lawsuit has been filed against Boar's Head in relation to this outbreak. A Missouri woman claims she consumed contaminated deli meat and subsequently fell ill. This case is currently pending in state court in St. Louis.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in food safety and the potential far-reaching consequences of contamination in the food supply chain.