In a tragic turn of events, a 79-year-old man from Tampa, Florida, has died after consuming Boar’s Head Tavern Ham, which led to a listeria infection. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boar’s Head, marking the first legal action taken concerning products outside of the company’s liverwurst line.
According to ABC News, the man’s wife reported that in April, they purchased the Tavern Ham along with Yellow American Cheese. Otis Adams began to experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and diarrhea late in the month, which he initially attributed to common illnesses. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and by May 2, he sought medical attention where he was diagnosed with listeria. This subsequently led to meningitis and sepsis, and he passed away on May 5.
The law firm representing the Adams family notes that while there are other wrongful death lawsuits involving Boar’s Head, this particular case is significant because it addresses the immediate consumption products, rather than just their liverwurst.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that as of September 25, at least 59 people across 19 states have been hospitalized due to listeria linked to Boar’s Head products, with 10 confirmed deaths. The actual number of cases may be higher, as some individuals may have recovered without seeking medical care or undergoing listeria testing.
The outbreak has been traced back to ready-to-eat deli meats and liverwurst produced at the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia. The company has issued an apology and recalled approximately 7 million pounds of deli meats and poultry products produced between May 10 and July 29.
Documents from the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) indicate that this facility has a troubling history, with 69 recorded violations in the past year, including instances of mold, insects, blood on the floor, discolored meat, and foul odors from refrigeration equipment. Following the outbreak, Boar’s Head announced the indefinite closure of the Jarratt facility and the permanent cessation of liverwurst sales. While FSIS documents did not specifically mention listeria, they noted that inadequately cleaned areas present significant growth risks, and listeria is resistant to standard refrigeration methods.
