A deadly listeria outbreak linked to a Boar’s Head factory in Virginia has left the billion-dollar deli meat empire facing an existential threat. At least 10 people have died, with nearly 60 hospitalized in 19 states, according to the CDC. The company, which took a century to become the biggest deli meat brand in America, is now dealing with civil lawsuits, a Department of Justice investigation, and talks of a congressional hearing. The secretive nature of Boar’s Head has added to the controversy, with the founding families embroiled in petty legal battles over the billion-dollar brand.
The two feuding families who own Boar’s Head, the Brunckhorsts and the Bischoffs, have been fighting over ownership since 2021. The company could face hundreds of millions in civil claims and criminal charges as a result of the outbreak. Boar’s Head, with an estimated annual revenue of $1.3 billion, was in a strong position to sell itself before the recall, but the recent events have put its future in jeopardy. The company’s complex ownership structure has led to internal disputes that have further complicated the situation.
The closure of the Virginia plant and the fatalities resulting from the outbreak have exposed serious issues at Boar’s Head. The company, known for its deli meats, has faced controversy in the past over the conditions of its plants. In the aftermath of the recall, sales are down at deli counters across the country, with consumers feeling less safe about purchasing deli meat in general. U.S. food safety regulators are investigating potential wrongdoing at Boar’s Head, with audits being conducted at all of the company’s facilities to determine the contributing factors that led to the outbreak.
The ongoing legal battle between the founding families of Boar’s Head adds to the company’s troubles. The lawsuits, which have been ongoing for several years, have escalated in recent months, with accusations of greed and litigious behavior. While a New York judge ruled in favor of the Martins in one case, unresolved claims are still pending, with a trial set for early 2025. The legal disputes add to the growing list of legal troubles facing Boar’s Head in the aftermath of the recall.
As the company grapples with the fallout from the listeria outbreak, victims and their families are seeking answers and justice. Several lawsuits have been filed, including a wrongful death suit on behalf of an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who died after eating Boar’s Head liverwurst. The families of the victims are determined to hold the company accountable and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. Boar’s Head’s future remains uncertain as it navigates the legal challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and consumer backlash in the wake of the deadly outbreak.
