The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, approximately one in six Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.(1) One of the most serious pathogens associated with these illnesses is Listeria monocytogenes.

This environmental pathogen can contaminate a variety of foods, survive and multiply at refrigeration temperatures, and can cause severe illness known as listeriosis. Listeriosis symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, often preceded by gastrointestinal issues. An invasive infection extends beyond the gastrointestinal tract, posing a serious risk, especially to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, listeriosis can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or severe infections in newborns.(2)

In early July 2024, the CDC launched an investigation into a multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections, which led to at least ten deaths and 59 hospitalizations across 19 states, making it the largest Listeria outbreak in over a decade.(7) To trace the outbreak’s source, public health officials interviewed the affected individuals about their food consumption in the month prior to getting sick. Of the 44 people able to be interviewed, 39 (89%) reported eating deli-sliced meats, 25 (57%) specifically consumed deli-sliced liverwurst, and 19 (43%) identified Boar's Head brand liverwurst. Subsequently, the Maryland Department of Health tested an unopened package of Boar's Head liverwurst and identified the presence of L. monocytogenes. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the strain from the liverwurst sample was highly related to the strain linked to the outbreak.(3)

On July 25, 2024, Boar’s Head Provision Company voluntarily recalled approximately seven million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. An internal investigation at their Jarratt, Virginia facility identified a specific production process used exclusively for liverwurst as the source of the contamination.(4) At the beginning of September, Boar's Head closed their Jarratt plant causing the layoff of over 500 workers, as the company now faces numerous lawsuits.(7)

The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) mandates USDA inspections of all commercially sold meat to ensure that they meet U.S. food safety standards.(5) After the outbreak became public, the USDA released two years' worth of inspection reports revealing unsanitary conditions at the Jarratt plant, including rusted equipment, meat build-up, live insects, and mold. This situation has led food safety experts to advocate that the problems found at the Boar’s Head facility warranted stronger enforcement actions.(6)

This outbreak highlights the need for improved monitoring systems, more stringent testing protocols, and enhanced consumer education in order to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

by Yesenia Morales and Mark Pruett
Hardy Diagnostics