Boar’s Head class action claims co. sold products contaminated with listeria

Boar’s Head class action overview: 

• Who: Sheryl Gatoff filed a class action lawsuit against Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc.
• Why: The plaintiff claims Boar’s Head did not warn consumers about the possibility of listeria contamination. 
• Where: The Boar’s Head class action lawsuit was filed in California but includes products sold nationwide.

California woman Sheryl Gatoff filed a class action lawsuit against Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., alleging the company did not properly warn consumers about the possibility of listeria contamination. The lawsuit cites several issues, including improper labeling of products, an ineffective recall process and potential health risk to consumers. 

The plaintiff and class members cite their reliance on manufacturers to provide safe products, according to the Boar’s Head class action lawsuit. They claim that by omitting a warning label, the company failed to inform customers about the possibility of infection and risked the health of consumers. By continuing to market the products as safe for human consumption without warning customers, Boar’s Head allegedly violates California’s False Advertising Law. 

The Boar’s Head class action lawsuit also alleges the defendant violated California’s Unfair Competition Law by establishing a recall that does not benefit all consumers. The recall instructed consumers to return the product to the store for a full refund; however, this required customers to save receipts and return the products to stores. Consumers are more likely to discard the contaminated product to save time and effort, the class action claims. 

Boar’s Head risking consumer health, according to class action lawsuit 

Gatoff filed the lawsuit following the Boar’s Head listeria recall, announced July 26, 2024. 

Multiple Boar’s Head products tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, according to the recall. This harmful bacteria causes dangerous, life-threatening infections, including sepsis, meningitis and encephalitis. Listeria monocytogenes can be especially harmful to high-risk groups like pregnant women, elderly people, infants and immunocompromised individuals. Foodborne listeriosis has a hospitalization rate as high as 95% and a mortality rate as high as 30%, according to the lawsuit.     

Were you impacted by the Boar’s Head listeria contamination? Let us know in the comments. 

The Boar’s Head class action is Gatoff v. Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Case No.  24-cv-1868, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

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