Wilke sausage scandal trial opens in Kassel over 11 listeria deaths
Three former executives of the Wilke Waldecker meat plant face negligent homicide charges as a court in Kassel begins hearing one of Germany's worst food-safety cases on Monday.
The outbreak
In October 2019, authorities closed the Wilke Waldecker Fleisch- und Wurstwaren factory in Twistetal, Hesse, after listeria bacteria were detected in its sausage products. A subsequent inspection by the consumer group Foodwatch on 2 October 2019, one day after the district-ordered shutdown, documented mould on ceilings, a "decay odour" in a lift used to transport meat, and structural flaws that provided "ideal conditions" for listeria to multiply.
The facility in its current state offers no guarantee for the production of safe food.
Prosecutors also suspect that spoiled goods were reprocessed and that products past their shelf life were relabelled with false expiry dates before being shipped to retailers.
- District authorities order closure of the Wilke factory after listeria found in sausage products.
- Foodwatch inspection documents mould, decay odour and structural flaws at the plant.
- Trial of three former managers begins at Landgericht Kassel.
The human toll
Listeria bacteria are widespread in nature and can contaminate raw meat, sushi or unpasteurised cheese. While healthy adults usually experience only mild flu-like symptoms, the infection can be severe for people with weakened immune systems. According to the public prosecutor's office, listeria were detected in 37 people who had consumed Wilke products. Eleven of them died, with the infection listed as at least a contributing cause. Dozens more fell ill.
The defendants
Sitting in the dock at the Landgericht Kassel are the former managing director, aged 57, his 55-year-old deputy, and the former production manager, aged 58. The indictment charges them with negligent homicide in 11 cases, negligent bodily harm in 7 cases, administering health-endangering substances in 4 cases, fraud in 17 cases, and placing unsafe food on the market in 18 cases. All three are accused of bearing responsibility for allowing listeria-contaminated products to reach consumers.
The trial
Proceedings begin on Monday, 6 July 2026. The case is among the most serious food scandals in Germany in recent years and is expected to examine the hygiene failures inside the plant, the supervisory role of local authorities, and the chain of decisions that led to contaminated sausage remaining on sale. The trial will be closely watched by consumer advocates and the food industry alike.
