An investigation reveals a tragic case in Tampa, Florida, where a 79-year-old man named Otis Adams lost his life after consuming Boar’s Head Tavern Ham, which led to a listeria infection. On October 23, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boar’s Head, marking the first legal action concerning any product beyond their liverwurst sausages.
In an interview with ABC News, Adams’ wife shared that in April, they purchased Boar’s Head Tavern Ham and Yellow American Cheese. Otis began experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and diarrhea later that month. Initially thinking it was just a common illness, he delayed seeking medical attention until May 2, when he was diagnosed with listeria. Unfortunately, he developed severe conditions including meningitis and sepsis, passing away on May 5.
The law firm representing the Adams family noted that while there have been other wrongful death lawsuits against Boar’s Head, this is the first involving a product other than their liverwurst.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of September 25, at least 59 people across 19 states have been hospitalized due to listeria linked to Boar’s Head products, leading to 10 deaths. It’s important to note that the actual numbers may be higher since some individuals recover without seeking medical care or being tested for listeria.
The CDC traced the outbreak back to deli meats and liverwurst produced at Boar’s Head’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia. In response, the company issued an apology and recalled approximately 7 million pounds of deli meats and poultry products that were produced between May 10 and July 29.
Items from the Federal Inspection Service (FSIS) reveal that this Virginia facility has reported 69 violations in the past year, which included findings of mold, insects, blood on the floor, discolored meat, fat accumulation on walls and floors, and unpleasant odors emanating from cooling equipment. In September, Boar’s Head announced an indefinite closure of this plant and permanently ceased sales of liverwurst. Although the FSIS documents did not directly mention listeria, they emphasized that areas not properly cleaned pose a risk for growth, and listeria is resistant to temperatures typically used for refrigeration.
