Listeria Outbreak Claims Life in New Jersey with 33 Others Hospitalized Across Nation

| Image via CDC website |

As of this morning, listeria infections have spread, leading to 34 hospitalizations across 13 states, with two deaths reported in New Jersey and Illinois. Health officials anticipate that the number of sick people is likely higher than reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with confirmed cases. This rapid outbreak is due to a liverwurst sample in a Boar’s Head product testing positive for listeria, as collected by the Maryland Department of Health.

Boar’s Head has announced a recall of 7 million pounds of deli and poultry items, in addition to the 207,000 pounds recalled last week. The recall includes all meat products produced by the company between May 10th and July 29th.

Boar’s Head has since been sued by a Missouri couple who are regular purchasers of Boar’s Head liverwurst. According to the couple’s lawyer, "After purchasing and consuming Boar's Head liverwurst in June, the plaintiff became deathly ill and was hospitalized in early July. Testing confirmed that she was suffering from a life-threatening listeria infection. Thankfully, she survived after a long and harrowing hospitalization, but then endured a lengthy stay at a rehabilitation facility to continue her recovery."

Scientists at the CDC strongly advise all purchasers of the recalled Boar’s Head products to throw them away or return them to the store. Due to the cold temperatures in refrigerators, bacteria can also spread rapidly. Citizens are urged to clean out their fridges and any nearby products.

What is a listeria infection, and is it deadly? Listeria is a bacterial illness borne out of food, most commonly occurring in the meat processing and dairy industries. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. Listeria can cause severe effects in pregnant people, individuals aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems.

Listeria is deadly and can cause fevers, tiredness, stiff neck, and muscle aches. In severe cases, the bacteria can cause blood infections or meningitis. On average, nearly 1,600 people get listeriosis annually, with 260 fatalities. However, the recent outbreak of listeria is more severe and poses a greater threat.

This isn’t the first time the meat industry has received significant complaints from the American public. The poultry industry, in particular, has been criticized for its lack of oversight within factories. Hazards in the industry include exposure to dangerous chemicals, unsafe working conditions leading to musculoskeletal disorders, slippery floors, dangerous equipment, and high noise levels. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the meatpacking industry was under significant threat as 500,000 workers invariably came into contact with people in their communities, spreading the virus. Researchers found that by July 2020, areas with meatpacking plants had far more COVID-19 cases and deaths than expected.

The industry has lacked significant oversight and fair regulations for workers, leading to gaps in foresight regarding feed sourcing that have contributed to disease outbreaks like listeria. In the recall of 7 million pounds of meat, thousands of animals were wasted in processing, two lives were lost, and many more compromised—mistakes that undeniably could have been avoided with proper supervision.