Boar’s Head has announced the closure of its Virginia plant, which was linked to a lethal listeria outbreak, according to a statement released on Friday.
This decision is part of a series of changes that the company described as necessary following what it termed a “dark moment in our company’s history.” The company plans to permanently halt the production of liverwurst after an investigation confirmed that its manufacturing processes were responsible for the listeria contamination. Additionally, Boar’s Head will roll out a company-wide food safety program, appoint a new food safety officer, and establish a food safety council comprising independent industry experts, including former officials from the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers and to the safety and quality of our products,” stated the company in a letter to consumers. “We are determined to learn from this experience and emerge stronger.”
Since July, the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, has been out of operation. This followed the initial announcement of a liverwurst recall, which later expanded to include all products produced at this plant.
Reports from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) indicated concerning conditions at the facility, including the presence of insects, mold, “blood in puddles on the floor,” and a “rancid smell in the cooler” since 2022. A separate 2022 report flagged “major deficiencies” in the plant’s physical conditions. These included rusty equipment, peeling paint, loose caulk, holes in walls, product residue on surfaces, and dripping condensation, all of which posed an “imminent threat.” Inspectors noted that plant management was made aware of these issues and was directed to take corrective actions.
However, a USDA suspension notice issued for the facility on Friday cited “inadequate” controls and sanitation, which allowed the movement of equipment and employees throughout the facility, possibly facilitating the spread of bacteria.
“Given the seriousness of the outbreak, and the fact that it originated at Jarratt, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location, which has not been operational since late July 2024,” the company said in its letter. “It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees. We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers. But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course.”
The FSIS announced that its investigation will provide a “holistic look at Boar’s Head establishments across the country” and assess lessons that could be “more broadly applied to ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the listeria outbreak has hospitalized 57 individuals across 18 states, with nine confirmed deaths. This incident has been reported as the largest listeria outbreak since a similar event linked to cantaloupe in 2011.
The CDC further noted that the actual number of illnesses could be higher than reported, as some individuals may have experienced milder symptoms and were not tested for listeria. Consumers are urged to inspect their kitchens for recalled products that bear the “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” markings inside the USDA inspection label, with sell-by dates extending into October 2024.
Listeria bacteria can lead to listeriosis, which is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and, in severe cases, symptoms such as a stiff neck, headache, confusion, or seizures.