Schnucks Replaces Boar’s Head Products Amid Deadly Listeria Outbreak
In response to the recent Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak, which has claimed 10 lives, Schnucks Markets announced it will switch its deli meat supplier to Dietz & Watson.
The St. Louis-based grocery chain will phase out Boar’s Head products beginning in November, with the transition expected to be completed by December.
Schnucks stated that customer concerns over the safety of Boar’s Head products influenced this decision.
A Schnucks spokesperson explained, “Customers made it clear they had concerns putting Boar’s Head products back into their shopping carts.”
The company plans to launch a promotional campaign for the new Dietz & Watson products, including special pricing and expanded sampling opportunities to ease the transition.
Lawsuits Mount Against Boar’s Head
Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits related to the outbreak. One high-profile case involves Sue Fleming of Missouri, who became “deathly ill” after consuming Boar’s Head liverwurst purchased from Schnucks. She is seeking $25,000 in damages.
Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by Morgan & Morgan on behalf of Otis Adams Jr., who passed away in May after allegedly contracting Listeria from Boar’s Head ham purchased at a Publix in Florida.
This case marks the first claim against Boar’s Head for a product other than liverwurst. A separate lawsuit seeking $48 million has been filed by Robert Roposa, who claimed to have become “frighteningly ill” after consuming Boar’s Head products.
Boar’s Head recalled 7 million pounds of meat in July due to the outbreak. More lawsuits are expected, including a potential class-action suit alleging deceptive labeling and failure to communicate contamination risks.
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