Boar’s Head Plant Posed ‘Imminent Threat’ 2 Years Before Listeria Outbreak, USDA Documents Show

The CDC said that 57 people were sickened and nine had died in connection to the listeria outbreak. Officials say an investigation is ongoing.
Boar’s Head Plant Posed ‘Imminent Threat’ 2 Years Before Listeria Outbreak, USDA Documents Show
The Boar's Head processing plant that was tied to a deadly food poisoning outbreak in Jarratt, Va., on Aug. 29, 2024. Steve Helber/AP Photo
Jack Phillips
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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors had warned that a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia had deficiencies that posed an “imminent threat” two years before an outbreak of the recent listeria bacteria and a related recall of numerous meat products, as officials with the federal agency confirmed on Sept. 12 that an investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

Inspection documents that were recently released by the USDA show that government inspectors found “major deficiencies associated with the establishment’s physical conditions” at the plant in Virginia in September 2022, which pose an “imminent threat to [the] product.”

The inspection documents show that the plant had green mold on the wall, condensation on the floor, and rusted equipment. They also noted that there were beetles in a hallway; items such as trash, screws, and other material in the production area; and blood in puddles on the floor, flies, and dirty equipment.

Between Aug. 1, 2023, and Aug. 2, 2024, inspectors also discovered “heavy discolored meat buildup” and “meat overspray on walls and large pieces of meat on the floor.” They also specifically saw flies “going in and out” of pickle vats and “black patches of mold” on a ceiling.

In December 2022, investigators discovered a “1-inch-long centipede-like insect” and gnats in a spice receiving room, violating agency protocols, the documents also found.

Plant staff were repeatedly notified that they had failed to meet requirements, the USDA documents show.

A spokesperson for the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in a Sept. 12 statement that the listeria outbreak connected to the Boar’s Head plant is still under investigation, responding to questions about the threat that was found at the plant two years ago by inspection officials.

“In addition to taking a holistic look at Boar’s Head establishments across the country, our investigation will include a top-to-bottom review to determine contributing factors that led to the outbreak at this particular facility, what needs to be improved, and if there are lessons learned that could be more broadly applied to ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities,” the FSIS spokesperson said.

Production at the meat processing plant was temporarily paused in July in the midst of a recall, nearly two years after the FSIS officials discovered the alleged violations. In a statement earlier this year, Boar’s Head stated that it is recalling 7 million pounds of meat and other products because of the listeria outbreak, which officials say has led to fatalities and hospitalizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its latest update, said that 57 people were sickened and nine have died in connection to the outbreak.

Listeria infections cause about 1,600 illnesses and about 260 deaths each year in the United States, according to the CDC. People older than 65, those who are pregnant, or those who have weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.

The Epoch Times has made multiple requests to Boar’s Head for comment. The additional details about the threat that was detected at the plant were first reported by The New York Times earlier this week.

In late August, Boar’s Head said in an update: “We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness.

“We are conducting an extensive investigation, working closely with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, as well as with the industry’s leading food safety experts, to determine how our liverwurst produced at our Jarratt, Virginia, facility was adulterated and to prevent it from happening again.”

the company also confirmed that production at the plant has been stopped.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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