Boar’s Head Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over 2024 Listeria Contamination Recall

Lewisville, TX — Boar’s Head Provisions Co. is confronting a proposed class action lawsuit following the recall of multiple cold cut varieties in July 2024 due to potential listeria contamination. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to disclose on product packaging that the recalled items contained or might contain Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in children and individuals with weakened immune systems.

According to the lawsuit, Boar’s Head initially recalled over 207,000 pounds of meat on July 26 after a sample of liverwurst tested positive for listeria at a Maryland store. The recall was part of a multistate investigation into a listeria outbreak that had sickened 34 people across 13 states, leading to 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, as reported by NBC News.

The recall was expanded on July 31 to include an additional seven million pounds of deli meat and poultry items produced between May 10 and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country Brand names. The lawsuit claims that Boar’s Head’s marketing and advertising campaigns did not mention the potential contamination, misleading consumers.

The lawsuit also criticizes the recall process, stating it was designed to minimize consumer refunds by requiring customers to keep the recalled deli meat for reimbursement. It alleges that the recall announcement led consumers to discard the products, preventing them from claiming refunds.

Listeria infections, while potentially causing mild symptoms in healthy individuals, can be fatal for children and the elderly, and can cause severe complications such as sepsis, meningitis, encephalitis, or gastroenteritis. The infection has a high hospitalization rate of 95%.

The proposed class action seeks to represent all U.S. residents who purchased any of the recalled Boar’s Head products in July 2024.

Boar’s Head is a family-owned company specializing in deli meats, cheeses, and condiments.
Founded in 1905 by Frank Brunckhorst in Brooklyn, New York, Boar’s Head is renowned for its high-quality products and traditional practices. Their product line includes premium meats such as chicken breast, smoked ham, and roast turkey breast, as well as a variety of cheeses and condiments.