Updated September 26 Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli-sliced meats have been linked to a 19-state Listeria outbreak that has sickened 59 people killing 10 of them.
On July 26, 2024, Boar’s Head issued a Listeria recall for liverwurst, bologna, ham, and salami sold at Target, Kroger, and other stores. Other meats, cheeses, and deli products may also have become cross-contaminated with Listeria during preparation and handling of these products at the delis and grocery stores. At this time, prepackaged deli meats have not been implicated.
Did you get a Listeria infection from deli meat?
Deli Meat is a Common Cause of Listeria
Deli meats are a common cause of Listeria infections. This is the fifth multistate outbreak linked to sliced deli meat since 2018. All of them have included at least one fatality.
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- Johnston County Ham Listeria Outbreak: 4 Sick, 1 Dead
Symptoms of a Listeria Infection
Symptoms of a Listeria infection usually develop within 24 hours of exposure but can sometimes take as long as 70 days to appear. They include –
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck and other muscle aches
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
- Loss of balance, confusion, or convulsions
- Flu-like symptoms in pregnant women
Those at Heightened Risk
People who are over 65, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and babies are at high risk. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause premature delivery of an infected newborn, miscarriage, or stillbirth even if the expectant mother experiences only mild flu-like symptoms.
The CDC is currently advising people to avoid eating meat sliced at a deli unless it is heated first.
Boar’s Head Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak
Forty-four of the 47 people interviewed by health officials so far said they had eaten deli meat before they became ill. More than half said they had eaten deli-sliced liverwurst, some specifically stated Boar’s Head brand liverwurst.
Between May 29, 2024, and August 28, 2024, 59 people in 19 states developed symptoms of a Listeria infection after eating deli-sliced meats purchased from various grocery stores. All of the patients, who range in age from 32 to 95, were hospitalized. Ten people have died. One patient was pregnant when she became ill and remained pregnant after recovering from her Listeria infection.
The states reporting cases are 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). The fatalities were reported from Florida (1), Illinois (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (1).
Inspectors Find Insects, Mold, Pools of Blood
Inspectors working on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) found dozens of food safety violations at the Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt Virginia, according to documents obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
CBS obtained one year of monthly inspection reports from August 1, 2023, to August 2, 2024. The number of visits varied each month, with just one in January 2024 but 11 in July 2024. In all, USDA FSIS visited the plant 58 times and found at least one violation each time yet no enforcement actions were taken.
The violations included lack of a hazard analysis plan, water dripping from the ceiling, water, and animal blood pooling on the floor, meat build-up on machinery, foul odors, dead and live insects, rusty equipment, doors, walls, and ceilings in a state of disrepair.
Here are some of the observations:
August 3, 2023 – “The cover for inspection line belt motor had heavy meat and fat brown/pink in color build up on the inside of the cover as well as the motor itself. The motor itself is also starting to rust. (Upon entering the department on the right-hand side is 2 floor scales close to the wall. Both scales were opened showing large meat pieces, gloves, wads of pieces of wood, plastic, a brown mud-like substance, and trash. With an obvious odor. The meat was no longer pink it was grey/white in color. 3 parts hoppers all had heavy pink/brown/green buildup on the bottoms, and around the wheels. One of the hoppers contained parts that had visible meat particles/residue on them. Multiple instances of meat were found around the department on the floor. As well as standing water containing a brown mud/dirt-like substance.”
November 7, 2023 – ” The establishment in Jarratt, VA presently does not include a flow chart step, hazard analysis step, and or supporting documentation for raw product FFP activities in either of their FC-NSS HACCP plans: Pork and Poultry and Large and Small
Diameter. 35,540 Ibs. of raw, pumped pork was sent to [(by(4) ] The establishment has failed to meet the requirements of the above-cited regulations and the establishment’s Pork and Poultry HACCP plan.“
January 12, 2024 – “A black mold-like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. As well as some caulking around brick/metal. The affected areas ranged in size from a few inches up to a few feet. With the spots being as small as a pinhead and as large as a quarter.”
February 21, 2024 – “… there were ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor, and on the rack that were heavily soiled to the point they appeared to leak at a steady pace. There was also a rancid smell in the cooler.”
May 30, 2024 – “While checking records in the QA Office, I came across a stack of SSOPs that were dated for 5/22/2024. Upon checking the Liverwurst Cook Tank SSOP it was dated 7/22/2024 and no end-of-shift time. The document was also signed and
dated by QA and [senior management].
June 10, 2024 – ” Small flying gnat-like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room. The room’s walls had heavy meat buildup, pink/orange discoloration, and denaturant overspray on them.”
July 17, 2024 – “In the Raw Holding Cooler, the floor in the small doorway leading to the Raw Receiving Dock was found to have a green algal growth amongst standing water.”
July 26, 2024 – “…there were drips of liquid coming from the ceiling. The ceiling also had a dark tan/brown tint.” NOTE: Drips coming from the ceiling were mentioned seven times in various areas.
July 31, 2024 – USDA FSIS hand-delivered a revision of a notice of suspension, initially issued on July 26, 2024. The facility will be permanently shuttered.
Regulatory Breakdown
When asked by various news outlets why it allowed the plant to continue operating under such deplorable conditions, USDA FSIS stated that it didn’t, explaining Virginia state inspectors tapped to provide federal inspections were responsible.
The Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program allows some states to provide federal inspection services. Virginia is one of 29 states that conducts meat and poultry inspection on behalf of USDA FSIS. So, Boar’s Head’s Jarratt facility is actually inspected by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
Law Enforcement Probe
After inspection records for Boar’s Head’s Jarratt facility revealed serious food safety violations, CBS News requested records for the company’s other facilities. USDA FSIS denied that request citing an ongoing law enforcement probe. The agency said it was withholding 93 pages of requested information because their release “could hinder the government’s ability to further control and shape the investigation,” CBS News reported.
Experienced Listeria Lawyers
The Pritzker Hageman Listeria lawyers have an unequaled track record. Our firm has represented clients in every major Listeria outbreak and has obtained numerous million and multi-million-dollar recoveries including:
- $6.4 million for neurologic injury from a contaminated deli product
- $4.5 million for permanent brain damage from contaminated food
- $3 million for a pregnant woman who lost her unborn twins after eating contaminated food
- $1 million for illness from contaminated deli meat
If you were sickened in this outbreak or if you suffered the wrongful death of a family member and would like a free consultation with our experienced team of Listeria lawyers, please contact us today by calling 888-377-8900 (toll-free), texting 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below.