Recent reports from federal health officials have confirmed that at least eight individuals have lost their lives due to listeria infections stemming from Boar's Head deli meats, which were associated with a significant recall last month. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that the fatalities include two cases in South Carolina, along with one each in Florida, New Mexico, and Tennessee. Prior to this, three deaths had been reported in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
With over 57 individuals falling ill and requiring hospitalization, this outbreak, which commenced in late May and has persisted into August, marks the most extensive listeria incident in the U.S. since 2011. Boar’s Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products in response to the situation.
Listeria infections are caused by a resilient strain of bacteria that can endure and even flourish in refrigerated conditions. The CDC estimates that approximately 1,600 people contract listeria food poisoning annually, resulting in around 260 deaths. Symptoms may manifest rapidly or up to 10 weeks post-consumption of contaminated food, making it challenging to identify infections.
Individuals at higher risk, such as older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, face increased danger from listeria infections. The issue came to light when a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst collected in Maryland tested positive for listeria, with subsequent analysis revealing that the bacteria strain matched the one causing illnesses in individuals.
Initially, Boar’s Head recalled liverwurst and other sliced products from retail delis with sell-by dates between July 25 and August 30. The recall was later expanded on July 29 to encompass all items manufactured at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia plant, including deli counter-sliced products and prepackaged retail sausage, frankfurters, and bacon.
All the recalled deli meats have been withdrawn from shelves and are no longer accessible, as confirmed by Boar’s Head officials. These products were distributed nationwide and to several international locations, including the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.
The CDC advises consumers to inspect their refrigerators for the recalled items, looking for the EST. 12612 or P-12612 markings inside the USDA inspection label on the product packaging. Some items have sell-by dates extending into October. Discard any recalled foods and thoroughly sanitize surfaces they may have come into contact with.
While many cases of food poisoning are short-lived, listeria infections can have severe consequences. One such tragic incident involved Gunter Morgenstein, an 88-year-old resident of Newport News, Virginia, who passed away from a listeria-induced brain infection linked to the contaminated Boar’s Head products. Morgenstein, a Holocaust survivor and renowned hair stylist, had a fondness for liverwurst and regularly purchased the Boar’s Head brand.
After falling ill in early July and being hospitalized, Morgenstein's condition deteriorated to the point where doctors predicted permanent brain damage. Following his passing, it was revealed that he had purchased the recalled deli meat on June 30. The family has sought legal counsel to address this tragic incident, emphasizing the preventable nature of the situation.
