At least eight individuals have lost their lives due to listeria contamination from Boar’s Head deli meats linked to a significant recall last month, as reported by federal health officials on Wednesday. The new death toll includes fatalities in South Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, and Tennessee, in addition to the three previously confirmed deaths in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Approximately 57 people have fallen ill and been hospitalized in connection with the outbreak that began in late May and has endured into August. This incident marks the most extensive listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011, leading Boar’s Head to recall over 7 million pounds of deli products.
Listeria infections arise from a resilient type of bacteria that can endure and even multiply during refrigeration. It is estimated that 1,600 individuals suffer from listeria-related food poisoning annually, with about 260 resulting in fatalities. Infections can be challenging to identify as symptoms may manifest quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these infections. The issue came to light when a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst collected in Maryland tested positive for listeria, matching the strain causing illnesses in individuals.
Initially, the recall encompassed liverwurst and other sliced products with sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30, expanding on July 29 to include all items produced at the Jarratt, Virginia plant. The recalled products were distributed nationwide and to several countries, including the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.
Consumers are advised to inspect their refrigerators for the recalled items and discard them. Look for EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on product labels, some of which have sell-by dates extending into October. While most cases of food poisoning are short-lived, listeria infections can have severe consequences.
In a poignant instance, Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein from Newport News, Virginia, passed away on July 18 from a brain infection caused by listeria bacteria, which was traced back to the contaminated Boar’s Head products. Morgenstein, an 88-year-old German-born Holocaust survivor and renowned hair stylist, had purchased the recalled deli meat on June 30 and subsequently fell ill.
His son, Garshon Morgenstein, highlighted his father’s love for Boar’s Head liverwurst and emphasized the tragedy of the situation, saying his father had many good years ahead of him. Consequently, the family has sought legal counsel following Gunter Morgenstein’s untimely passing.