The CDC confirms a tenth death in the Listeria outbreak connected to Boar’s Head products, with 59 total cases across 19 states. Investigations and lawsuits continue.
Introduction
A deadly Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. has claimed its tenth life, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on September 25, 2024. The outbreak has resulted in 59 confirmed illness cases across 19 states, with all affected individuals hospitalized. As the outbreak unfolds, Boar’s Head faces mounting legal and regulatory scrutiny, with both the company and government agencies working to understand how the outbreak occurred and prevent future incidents.
CDC’s Latest Update: A Grim Toll
The CDC confirmed that the latest victim of the Listeria outbreak was a second fatality in New York. This brings the total death toll to 10, with other deaths reported in Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina, where two people died. The CDC also announced two additional illness cases since its last update on August 28, raising the total number of confirmed illnesses to 59.
The outbreak has been particularly severe, with all individuals requiring hospitalization. The samples from those infected were collected between May 29 and August 28, indicating a widespread contamination event that has spanned multiple months and states. The CDC initially opened its investigation on July 19, launching a series of recalls and safety actions by Boar’s Head.
Boar’s Head Response: Recalls and Plant Closure
In response to the Listeria outbreak, Boar’s Head initially recalled over 200,000 pounds of liverwurst and other ready-to-eat deli meat products on July 26. Within days, the company expanded the recall to include an additional 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products. Despite these recalls, the scope of the outbreak and contamination prompted Boar’s Head to take further action.
Earlier this month, Boar’s Head announced the permanent closure of its Jarratt, Virginia, facility, which had been identified as the source of the outbreak. The plant had been shuttered since July, and approximately 500 employees worked there. In a public statement, Boar’s Head expressed remorse for the situation, acknowledging it as a “dark moment” in the company’s history.
“This is a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company but for the entire industry,” Boar’s Head said. The company also revealed that it had permanently discontinued liverwurst production across all its plants after the contamination was traced to a specific production process unique to the Jarratt facility.
USDA Investigation and Regulatory Failures
While Boar’s Head has taken action to address the outbreak, new details from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have shed light on food safety protocol violations at the Jarratt facility that go back two years. The USDA had previously disclosed 69 instances of noncompliance between August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2024. However, a more recent report revealed violations at the facility dating as far back as 2022.
This second round of citations covered the period between January 2022 and June 2023, with some of the violations labeled as an “imminent threat” to food safety. These findings have sparked further questions about whether the outbreak could have been prevented and whether the facility was properly regulated. The failures in addressing these violations over multiple years have brought the company under increased scrutiny.
Calls for Accountability: Potential Criminal Charges
In light of the severity of the outbreak and the USDA’s findings, several lawmakers have called for stronger action against Boar’s Head. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) recently sent a letter urging the USDA to work closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against Boar’s Head.
“We also urge the agency to initiate reforms to prevent similar situations from recurring at other facilities,” Blumenthal and DeLauro wrote. Their letter specifically requested the USDA revisit its regulations around Listeria testing in processing environments, including a proposed rule from 2000 that would have required minimum sampling for Listeria on food contact surfaces.
The calls for accountability reflect the broader concerns about food safety practices in the meat processing industry, especially as it pertains to high-risk pathogens like Listeria. Blumenthal and DeLauro’s letter emphasizes the need for stronger regulations to protect consumers and ensure that food manufacturers prioritize public health over profit.
Legal Fallout: Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In addition to regulatory scrutiny, Boar’s Head faces several lawsuits related to the outbreak, including wrongful death claims filed by families of those who died. The legal actions allege that Boar’s Head failed to ensure the safety of its products and that its negligence contributed to the deaths and illnesses. These lawsuits are expected to move forward as investigations continue, with plaintiffs seeking compensation for the devastating impact of the outbreak.
The lawsuits highlight the emotional and financial toll of the Listeria outbreak, as families grapple with the loss of loved ones and the uncertainty surrounding their cases. For Boar’s Head, the legal and financial repercussions could be significant, especially if the company is found liable for the outbreak.
The Impact of Listeria on Public Health
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the outbreak, is particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The pathogen thrives in ready-to-eat deli meats, where it can grow even in refrigerated conditions. Once consumed, it can cause severe illness and death, especially if the contamination is not detected early.
The current outbreak has once again underscored the need for stringent food safety protocols, particularly in facilities that produce ready-to-eat meats. It has also reinforced the importance of rapid recalls and public transparency when contamination is identified.
Moving Forward: Strengthening Food Safety
As Boar’s Head deals with the aftermath of the Listeria outbreak, both the company and regulators are under pressure to take significant steps to improve food safety practices. Boar’s Head has already pledged to use this incident as a turning point, stating that it will enhance food safety programs not just for itself, but for the entire industry.
Meanwhile, the USDA is facing renewed calls for reform to ensure that violations like those at the Jarratt facility are identified and corrected before outbreaks occur. As foodborne illnesses continue to pose a major public health threat, particularly in the meat processing industry, the need for regulatory oversight and compliance has never been greater.
Conclusion
The Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head products has claimed ten lives, leaving behind a trail of grief, legal battles, and regulatory questions. As the CDC continues to monitor the outbreak and as legal cases unfold, Boar’s Head will need to confront its role in the contamination and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. For the victims and their families, the fight for justice is just beginning, and for the food industry, the outbreak serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of food safety and consumer protection.