Boar’s Head Provisions has settled with the estate of Gunter Morgenstein who died from listeriosis allegedly acquired from consuming liverwurst manufactured at the Jarrett, VA. facility. Following traceback to the plant, which has subsequently been closed, the Company was obliged to recall seven million pounds of product covering 71 items produced between May 10 and July 29 under various brands.
Settlement would appear to be an obvious response to lawsuits, given the evidence of long-standing deviations from acceptable industry practices that in large measure were condoned by lack of action on the part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the state of Virginia to whom inspections were delegated.
There is no way that Boar’s Head Provisions could effectively defend a civil claim in court given the inspection reports relating to the implicated plant. The company will face additional claims given 61 diagnosed and confirmed illnesses with 10 fatalities in addition to lawsuits from retailers.