NEW YORK — Boar’s Head Provisions Co. has agreed to pay $3.1 million in a class action settlement concerning a deadly Listeria outbreak connected to the company’s products.

Last July, Boar’s Head recalled over 7 million lbs of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to the detection of Listeria in an unopened liverwurst product produced by the company. Upon further investigation, Boar’s Head decided to close its processing plant in Jarratt, Va., where the recalled items were produced.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was able to trace a widespread Listeria outbreak in the United States to meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head liverwurst.

A total of 61 people were confirmed to be infected with Listeria from across 19 states. Of those, 60 were hospitalized, and 10 deaths occurred. Deaths were reported in Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina.

Not long after the recall, Boar’s Head was hit with litigation. Plaintiffs argued that the company used misleading marketing by not disclosing the presence of Listeria in the food products sold.

In the settlement reached in Pompilio, et al. v. Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc., filed with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Boar’s Head admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to pay $3.1 million to the affected class.

Consumers who purchased certain Boar’s Head meat products between May 10, 2024, and Aug. 12, 2024, for personal use are eligible to be reimbursed for their purchases. Terms of the settlement grant class members a full refund for each recalled product they purchased if they have proof of purchase. If there is no proof, they can receive an average retail price for up to two recalled products per household. Claims and exclusions can be filed through May 16.

A final approval hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

This is not the first settlement Boar’s Head has reached pertaining to the Listeria outbreak. In November 2024, the company settled a similar class action lawsuit. Boar’s Head has also faced a wrongful death lawsuit settled last December.

Taking action against further contamination, Boar’s Head has since created a food safety council to advise best practices moving forward.

Recently, members of the Boar’s Head Food Safety Council explained their strategies for risk mitigation in an interview with MEAT+POULTRY.