Boar’s Head Settles Listeria Lawsuits After Massive Recall

Case Overview: A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Boar's Head over a listeria outbreak linked to its deli meats. Consumers claimed the company misled them about the contamination risk.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Boar's Head deli meats affected by the listeria recall.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Consumers who sued Boar’s Head over a listeria outbreak linked to its deli meats have reached a settlement agreement, attorneys told a federal judge in New York. The Boar’s Head listeria outbreak was one of the largest listeria outbreaks in U.S. history.

The deal, announced on Friday, resolves claims from five proposed class action lawsuits filed by customers who said they would not have purchased the products if they had known about the contamination risks, Reuters reports. Details of the settlement, which still requires court approval, haven’t been disclosed. 

Boar's Head Accused of Misleading Consumers About Listeria Risk

The lawsuits alleged that Boar’s Head misled consumers by selling contaminated deli meats without disclosing the risk of listeria. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that customers relied on product labels claiming the meats were safe for consumption, only to learn later about the recall.

The plaintiffs argued they would have never have made the purchases had they known about the contamination risk and blame Boar’s Head for failing to advertise or disclose on its packaging that its Virginia ham, beef salami, and other products were contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can lead to serious and life-threatening health issues, particularly for high-risk groups such as pregnant women, infants, and the elderly.

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Boar's Head Deli Meats

The listeria outbreak, linked to products made at Boar’s Head’s Jarratt, Virginia, facility, caused 10 deaths and 59 illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Initially, Boar’s Head recalled over 200,000 pounds of liverwurst and other deli items in July 2024. The recall later expanded to more than 7 million pounds of products produced between May and July.

The Jarratt facility has since been shut down indefinitely. In October, the CDC confirmed the ten death tied to the outbreak. Experts say the true number of cases may be higher due to listeria’s incubation period of up to 10 weeks.

As well as the class action lawsuits currently being settled, Boar’s Head faces individual claims from families who lost loved ones to listeria and from people who became seriously ill. These lawsuits accuse the company of neglecting sanitation at its production facility. 

In one lawsuit, Robert Reposa from Virginia alleged he became ill after eating Boar's Head products with listeria and he argues Boar’s Head knew about unsanitary conditions at the Jarratt facility.

Listeria Contamination Remains a Threat in Food Industry

Listeria is a dangerous bacteria that can cause severe illness, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and confusion, with potentially life-threatening complications. The CDC considers it a leading cause of foodborne illness deaths in the U.S.

The Boar’s Head case highlights ongoing challenges in food safety. McDonald’s faces a class action lawsuit over E. coli in its Quarter Pounders, alleging the company failed to warn consumers about the risk of E. coli contamination leading to illnesses and even a death.

Other companies, including Real Kosher Ice Cream and Twin City Foods, issued recalls in 2023 over possible listeria contamination. These cases underscore the need for strict safety protocols and enforcement to protect consumers.

Did you purchase any of the recalled Boar's Head deli meats? Share your thoughts on the settlement in the comments below.