In a recent case raising significant health concerns, the family of 79-year-old Otis Adams from Tampa, Florida, has filed a lawsuit against Boar’s Head, claiming negligence led to his death from a listeria infection linked to their products. This lawsuit marks the first time the company has faced legal action over items beyond their liverwurst.

According to ABC News, Adams’ wife reported that in April, they purchased Boar’s Head Tavern Ham and Yellow American Cheese. Adams began experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and diarrhea in late April, initially attributing them to a common illness. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, leading him to seek medical attention on May 2, where he was diagnosed with listeria. This diagnosis quickly escalated to meningitis and sepsis, resulting in his death on May 5.

The law firm behind the lawsuit noted that while Boar’s Head has faced other wrongful death lawsuits, this particular case focuses on pre-packaged products that are not liverwurst.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that as of September 25, at least 59 individuals across 19 states have been hospitalized due to listeria infections linked to Boar’s Head products, with 10 reported deaths. The actual number of cases may be higher, as some individuals likely recovered without seeking medical attention or receiving tests for listeria.

The CDC traced the outbreak to deli meats and liverwurst produced at the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia. Following this incident, the company has issued an apology and initiated a recall of approximately 7 million pounds of deli meats and poultry produced between May 10 and July 29.

Furthermore, documents from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) highlighted that the facility had recorded 69 violations over the past year, including issues such as mold, insects, and other unsanitary conditions. In September, Boar’s Head announced the indefinite closure of the Jarratt plant and the permanent discontinuation of liverwurst sales. While the FSIS documents did not specifically mention listeria, they indicated that areas not cleaned properly pose a growth risk, emphasizing that listeria bacteria are not eliminated by refrigeration.