Listeria Outbreak linked to Boar’s Head

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that Boar’s Head meats, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, were contaminated with Listeria, and have resulted in 59 reported illnesses. All 59 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been hospitalized with 10 deaths reported. 

States where illnesses have been reported include Arizona 1, Florida 3, Georgia 2, Illinois 1, Indiana 1, Louisiana 1, Maryland 8, Massachusetts 3, Minnesota 1, Missouri 3, New Jersey 6, New Mexico 1, New York 17, North Carolina 1, Pennsylvania 2, South Carolina 2, Tennessee 1, Virginia 4, and Wisconsin 1.

Inspection Records for Boar’s Head

Multiple inspection records show consistent reports of mold and mildew throughout the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia.

January 2024 – “A black mold like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. As well as some caulking around brick/metal,” an inspector wrote in January, noting that some spots were “as large as a quarter.” 

February 2024 – An inspector found “ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor” and a “rancid smell” throughout a cooler used at the plant. Several records also flag sightings of insects in and around deli meats at the plant, including one instance that prompted the agency to tag more than 980 pounds of ham in a smokehouse hallway to be “retained” for an investigation.

June 2024 – A report flagged concerns over flies going in and out of “vats of pickle” left in a room. “Small flying gnat like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room. The rooms walls had heavy meat buildup,” the report notes. Other parts of the facility were also found to have bugs, including cockroaches and beetles as well as “ants traveling down the wall.”

July 2024 – Federal inspectors found mold and mildew around the hand washing sinks for the workers tasked with handling meats that are supposed to be ready to eat. Mold was found outside of steel vats used by the plant and in holding coolers between the site’s smokehouses. “A black mold like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. Leaking and pooling water, including a puddle found with “a green algal growth” and condensation that was “dripping over product being held.” These leaks were near fans that appeared to be blowing the liquid onto uncovered deli meats.

About Marler Clark

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $900 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Additional Resources:

• About E. coli – a complete online resource with information on symptoms and risks of E. coli infection
• About hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a complete online resource with information about acute kidney failure
• Marler Clark E. coli Lawsuits and Litigation
• A downloadable Family Health Guide

William “Bill” Marler has been a food safety lawyer and advocate since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli Outbreak which was chronicled in the book, “Poisoned” and in the recent Emmy Award winning Netflix documentary by the same name. Bill work has been profiled in the New Yorker, “A Bug in the System;” the Seattle Times, “30 years after the deadly E. coli outbreak, A Seattle attorney still fights for food safety;” the Washington Post, “He helped make burgers safer, Now he is fighting food poisoning again;” and several others. 

Dozens of times a year Bill speaks to industry and government throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, China and Australia on why it is important to prevent foodborne illnesses.  He is also a frequent commentator on food litigation and food safety on Marler Blog. Bill is also the publisher of Food Safety News.