In July 2024, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., a renowned deli meat producer, initiated a significant recall of over 200,000 pounds of deli meats, including liverwurst, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was prompted by an outbreak that has sickened 34 people across 13 states and resulted in two deaths.
The recall affects a wide range of deli meats produced at Boar’s Head’s facility in Virginia, distributed nationwide. The contamination was discovered after tests in Maryland indicated the presence of Listeria in the products, leading to immediate action to prevent further illnesses.
Listeria monocytogenes is a serious bacterium that can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea and the infection can be particularly dangerous, leading to hospitalization and sometimes death.
The recall has led to multiple lawsuits, with the most notable being filed by an elderly couple from Missouri, Patrick and Sue Fleming. The lawsuit alleges that Sue, 88, became critically ill after consuming contaminated liverwurst purchased from Schnucks Markets, requiring a lengthy hospital stay and subsequent rehabilitation.
In addition to seeking damages for medical expenses and “loss of enjoyment of life,” the Flemings are also claiming compensation for “damage to the marital relationship.” This aspect of the lawsuit highlights the broader impact of the illness on their personal lives, with Patrick Fleming citing a loss of “love, services, consortium, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel, and support” from his spouse due to her severe illness and prolonged recovery period.
The lawsuit seeks upwards of $25,000 in damages from Boar’s Head and Schnucks Markets, accusing them of negligence, manufacturing defects and breach of implied warranty.
Boar’s Head has expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing their commitment to consumer safety and product quality. The company has set up a hotline for consumers to get more information and has encouraged those who purchased the recalled products to return them for a refund.
The Boar’s Head recall underscores the importance of stringent food safety measures and the significant repercussions of contamination outbreaks. As the legal proceedings continue and affected individuals seek compensation, this incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for transparency and accountability in the food industry.
For more detailed information and updates on the recall, you can visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
Patrick Fleming and Sue Lauber Fleming have always been 10 ticks off their rockers. I hope this gets tossed but they know people that know people. This is absolutely ridiculous and they should accept things could have been worse and drop this suit.