Boar’s Head announced today that it is permanently discontinuing its liverwurst product following a deadly listeria outbreak that was traced back to its Jarratt, Virginia, facility. This decision comes after a series of events, beginning with the initial recall of liverwurst in July 2024, followed by an expanded recall of over 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats due to contamination concerns. {It also follow the filing of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit on behalf of a Holocaust Survivor, Gunter Morgenstein]. The outbreak led to the hospitalization of 57 people across 18 states and tragically claimed nine lives.
The company’s investigation identified a specific production process unique to the Jarratt facility as the root cause of the listeria contamination. This process was only used for liverwurst, leading Boar’s Head to make the difficult decision to halt liverwurst production permanently. In addition to discontinuing liverwurst, the company has closed the plant indefinitely, resulting in layoffs affecting hundreds of employees.
The decision to stop making liverwurst also highlights a broader issue with liverwurst and similar meat products being susceptible to contamination, particularly by Listeria monocytogenes. Liverwurst is often considered a high-risk food due to its nature as a processed, ready-to-eat product. Listeria is especially problematic in such foods because it can thrive even at refrigeration temperatures, unlike many other bacteria. The soft, moist texture of liverwurst and the potential for contamination during production create a conducive environment for listeria growth if strict sanitation protocols are not followed.
According to Listeria Lawyer Ron Simon, who filed the Morgenstein Listeria Lawsuit:
“Boar’s Head has not yet explained what the specific production process unique to the Jarratt facility was, and why it has led to its closure, but these are among the questions we will asking in the discovery process afforded by filing a listeria lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Morgenstein and his family.”
Listeria is a serious pathogen that can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can range from muscle aches and flu-like symptoms to more severe complications like meningitis. In ready-to-eat meats, even small amounts of contamination can lead to outbreaks, as the product is typically consumed without further cooking that would kill the bacteria.
Boar’s Head is now focusing on implementing enhanced food safety measures across its facilities, including appointing a new Chief Food Safety Officer and establishing a Food Safety Council to prevent future contamination issues. This marks a significant effort to rebuild trust and ensure the highest standards of food safety.
