Boar’s Head, the premium brand specializing in high-quality deli meats, cheeses, and condiments, issued a recall on all items produced at their plant in Jarratt, Virginia.
The order was issued after a conclusive link was drawn between the ongoing multi-state listeria outbreak and Boar’s Head products. As of August 28, 9 people have died. Fifty-seven people have been hospitalized in the United States, according to the CDC.
Listeria Outbreak and Recall
The 71 recalled products were produced between May 10 and July 29, 2024. Effected meats have “EST.12612” or “P-12612” inside the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) mark of inspection on the product labels. Over seven million pounds of meat are part of the ‘precaution’ recall.
The products were shipped all over the nation and beyond. The Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama also received shipments of the potentially contaminated products.
Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most virulent food-borne pathogens. It can cause severe illness (invasive listeriosis) when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other body parts. It primarily affects people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, newborns, and older people.
Listeria monocytogenes is a resilient pathogen that commonly lives in soil, water, decaying plant material, and animals. It thrives in areas with high moisture or low temperatures. It is one of the few bacteria that can grow even when put in a refrigerator.
Listeria is resistant to salt and stomach acid, allowing it to pass through the stomach into the intestine. From there, it penetrates to the bloodstream and invades host cells. This intracellular pathogen multiplies within cells, and then spreads using the host cell’s machinery.
Listeria Onset and Symptoms
Symptoms of severe illness can start 1-4 weeks after eating the contaminated food. However, it can take as long as 70 days or start the same day of ingestion. Headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, fever, muscle aches, and convulsions may be experienced by those infected.
Listeria infection during pregnancy is hazardous and can lead to a miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting typically precede the expression of the more severe symptoms.
Listeria is particularly difficult to clean off knives, surfaces, and other items that can come in contact with infected products. The bacteria can form biofilm, a protective layer that allows it to survive and adhere to surfaces. This trait and its preference for cold and wet places make environments like meat processing plants and delis the perfect environment.
Between August 2023 to June 2024, Boar’s Head Virginia facility failed multiple inspections, with USDA inspectors citing 69 violations. Officials found unsanitary conditions like mold, insects, meat residue buildup on the floor and equipment, and clogged drains.
Lawsuits and Fallout
Multiple lawsuits have been filed by people affected by the outbreak against Boar’s Head. The suits involve claims of personal injury, wrongful death, deceptive marketing practices. Damage claims range from $50,000–$5 million.
This situation has highlighted the gaps in the oversight provided by food and workplace regulatory agencies since the Trump administration’s deregulation campaign in the meat industry. Citing the pandemic, the Trump Administration also cut down the oversight reach of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
“We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness,” Boar’s Head says in a company statement.
The CDC recommends you check your refrigerator for recalled deli meats and throw them away or return them to the store. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator so thoroughly clean the refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched recalled meats.
