Preliminary Settlement Reached in Boar’s Head Case

Boar’s Head has agreed to a $3.1 million settlement following a listeria outbreak that tragically took 10 lives and sickened 61 across the nation.

Key Takeaways

Boar’s Head has agreed to a settlement of $3.1 million in response to a listeria outbreak linked to some of its products.
The outbreak resulted in 10 deaths and 61 illnesses across 19 states.
The class action lawsuit covers consumers who bought affected products until July 31, 2024.
A preliminary approval has been granted, with final approval pending.
The settlement includes a plan for class members to file claims or oppose the agreement.

The Listeria Outbreak

Boar’s Head Provisions Company Inc. is grappling with the consequences of a listeria outbreak linked to their Virginia facility. The outbreak has resulted in ten fatalities and 61 reported illnesses across 19 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 60 people were hospitalized due to the infection. The source of the contamination was identified in products distributed between May 10 and August 12, 2024.

The CDC and Boar’s Head initiated a recall in July 2024 to remove contaminated products from circulation. However, the process has faced scrutiny from plaintiffs who accused Boar’s Head of insufficient communication regarding the potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination in product labeling and marketing.

If you purchased any Boar’s Head products that were later impacted by a widespread recall brought on by a deadly listeria outbreak last summer, you may be eligible to receive a payment as part of a class action lawsuit.https://t.co/8dvJBxMHag

— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) April 9, 2025

Settlement Details

In response to the crisis, Boar’s Head has reached a preliminary $3.1 million settlement in court. The class action lawsuit, which accuses Boar’s Head of failing to disclose possible listeria contamination, was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The settlement aims to compensate consumers who purchased affected products before July 31, 2024. This “Settlement Class” encompasses US consumers who bought the recalled products for personal use.

Boar’s Head will initiate a comprehensive notification plan to inform class members about filing claims, opting out, or objecting to the settlement, with the Angeion Group appointed as the Claim Administrator. The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 13, 2025. The settlement terms do not constitute an admission of wrongdoing by Boar’s Head, and consumers looking for more information on terms, claim procedures, and deadlines should refer to the Settlement Website.

Legal and Public Implications

Judge Halpern’s preliminary approval highlights the legal system’s involvement in ensuring fair remediation. The lawsuit also highlights the critical role of clear communication and transparency in product recalls. The affected consumers now await the final decision on the settlement, which could serve as a significant precedent for corporate accountability in food safety.