According to federal health officials, at least nine individuals have lost their lives due to listeria contamination from Boar’s Head deli meats.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported additional fatalities due to food poisoning. The latest toll includes two deaths in South Carolina, one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York. These new casualties add to the previously confirmed deaths of individuals residing in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Since late May, there have been reports of illnesses caused by the recent outbreak, with at least 57 people falling sick. This outbreak, which has continued into August, is the most significant occurrence of listeria in the United States since 2011. In response, Boar’s Head has taken action and recalled over 7 million pounds of deli products to ensure public safety.
Listeria infections are caused by a resilient type of bacteria that can withstand and even flourish in cold temperatures. The CDC reports that approximately 1,600 individuals contract listeria food poisoning annually, with approximately 260 fatalities. Detecting these infections can be challenging as symptoms may manifest rapidly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Older individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these infections.
Health officials in Maryland made an alarming discovery when they found that a sample of Boar’s Head liverwurst tested positive for listeria. They later confirmed that the strain of bacteria found in the sample was the same one responsible for causing illnesses in individuals.
Boar’s Head officials initially issued a recall for liverwurst and other sliced products in retail delis. The sell-by dates for these products ranged from July 25 to Aug. 30. However, on July 29, the recall was expanded to include all foods produced at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia. This included sliced deli products as well as prepackaged retail sausage, frankfurters, and bacon.
According to Boar’s Head officials, they have taken all the recalled deli meats off the shelves and they are no longer available for purchase. The affected products were distributed to various stores across the United States, as well as to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama, as per the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The CDC is urging consumers to thoroughly check their refrigerators for any recalled products. To identify these products, look for the EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. It’s important to note that some of these products may have sell-by dates that extend into October. If you find any of these recalled foods, it is crucial to discard them immediately. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize both the refrigerator and any other surfaces that these products may have come into contact with.
Food poisoning can cause various illnesses, although most of them are short-lived. However, it is important to note that listeria infections can have severe and long-lasting effects on individuals.
In Newport News, Virginia, a man named Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein tragically passed away on July 18th due to a brain infection caused by listeria bacteria. This illness was confirmed to be connected to the contaminated Boar’s Head products.
Morgenstein, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor originally from Germany, embarked on a remarkable journey from Canada to the United States as a young man. Throughout his illustrious 70-year career as a hair stylist, he gained recognition for his vibrant personality and remarkable talent. Garshon Morgenstein, his son, shared that his father had the privilege of styling various celebrities, including the renowned singer Tom Jones. His infectious humor and outgoing nature further added to his popularity in the industry.
According to Gunter Morgenstein’s son, his father had a strong liking for liverwurst, which he would often spread on bagels. Gunter was quite particular about the brand and would always insist on buying the Boar’s Head liverwurst, as he believed it to be of the highest quality.
In early July, he became ill and was admitted to the hospital on July 8th. His condition worsened to the point where doctors determined that he had sustained permanent brain damage and had little chance of recovery. At that point, his family made the difficult decision to remove life support, as shared by his son.
After Morgenstein passed away, it was discovered through a review of receipts that he had purchased the deli meat linked to the outbreak on June 30. The family has engaged the services of Ron Simon, a lawyer based in Houston.
“It’s truly a heartbreaking and senseless accident, a tragedy that should never have occurred,” expressed his son. “He had so many more wonderful years ahead of him.”