Boar’s Head Agrees To $3.1 Million Settlement Following Recall

Boar’s Head has reached a preliminary $3.1 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over a deadly listeria outbreak that killed 10 people, but consumers must wait until August 2025 for final court approval before any payments can be distributed.

Key Takeaways

Boar’s Head has agreed to a $3.1 million settlement following a listeria outbreak that caused 61 illnesses and 10 deaths across 19 states.
The nationwide class action lawsuit represents consumers who purchased potentially contaminated Boar’s Head products before July 31, 2024.
A final approval hearing is scheduled for August 13, 2025, before Judge Philip M. Halpern in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
To qualify for compensation, consumers must have purchased recalled Boar’s Head products for personal use, not resale.
The settlement terms do not include any admission of wrongdoing by Boar’s Head.

The Deadly Outbreak and Settlement Details

The extensive listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head products has resulted in a significant legal settlement following dozens of related illnesses and multiple fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak infected 61 people across 19 states, with 60 requiring hospitalization and 10 individuals losing their lives. The contamination was traced back to Boar’s Head’s Virginia manufacturing facility, leading to extensive product recalls and the eventual class action lawsuit that has now reached preliminary settlement.

The legal action, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleged that Boar’s Head failed to disclose potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination in its product labeling and marketing materials. Plaintiffs further accused the company of engaging in deceptive practices and criticized its recall process that began in July 2024. Judge Philip M. Halpern has given preliminary approval to the $3.1 million settlement, deeming it “fair, reasonable and adequate, and in the best interests of the Settlement Class.”

$3.1M settlement over recalled Boar’s Head products: Who qualifies for payments, if approved https://t.co/kXL4zlJLb1

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Who Qualifies for Payment

The settlement covers a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the affected Boar’s Head products before July 31, 2024. Specifically, the “Settlement Class” includes United States residents who bought recalled products for personal consumption, not for resale. The preliminary approval includes a comprehensive notification plan for potential class members, who will have the opportunity to file claims, opt out of the settlement, or file objections.

Angeion Group has been appointed as the Claim Administrator responsible for overseeing the notification and distribution process. Consumers who believe they may qualify for compensation are advised to monitor the official Settlement Website for detailed information regarding settlement terms, claim procedures, and applicable deadlines once the notification system is fully implemented. The final approval hearing, scheduled for August 13, 2025, will determine whether the settlement can proceed to the payment phase.

The Scale of the Recall and Its Impact

The Boar’s Head recall represents one of the more significant food safety incidents in recent years, impacting consumers across the country. The company initially recalled specific products before expanding the recall to include numerous meat and poultry items produced at its Virginia facility. This caused substantial disruption for both consumers and retailers, with some grocery chains temporarily closing their deli counters as a precautionary measure during the height of the outbreak.

“Settlement Class” members should understand that while the preliminary agreement has been reached, the court must still give its final approval before any compensation can be distributed. The settlement terms explicitly state that the agreement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing by Boar’s Head, which is standard language in many corporate settlements. The $3.1 million fund will be distributed among qualifying claimants according to a formula that will be detailed in the final settlement documentation.

The extensive nature of both the outbreak and subsequent recall highlights ongoing concerns about food safety in commercial production facilities. For consumers who purchased Boar’s Head products during the relevant period, staying informed about the settlement process through official channels will be essential to securing any compensation for which they may be eligible.