Boar’s Head announced Friday it will indefinitely close its Virginia deli meats plant, halting production and Deadly multi-state listeria outbreak It also sickened dozens of people.
Boar’s Head said in a statement that during what it called a “dark moment” in the company’s history Friday statement The company will indefinitely close its plant in Jarrett, Virginia, which makes liverwurst products linked to the outbreak.
The company said the contamination was caused by a “specific production process” that exists only at the Jarrett plant.
“We regret and deeply apologize for the recent events Listeria monocytogenes Our liverwurst product was contaminated. We understand the seriousness of this situation and its profound impact on the families affected,” the statement said.
“We have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this site, which has not been operational since late July 2024. It is painful for us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees,” the company said.
“As one of the region’s largest employers, we do not take our responsibilities lightly,” the statement continued. “However, under the circumstances, we believe closing the facility is the most prudent course of action. We will work to assist every employee in completing this transition process.”
This year’s liverwurst outbreak resulted in nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations.
The CDC said the company was responsible for the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011. More than 30 people died from affected cantaloupes.
This recall is Expanded to include 7 million pounds of meatwhich the company says is included in every product produced at the factory.
USDA awards Jarrett facility July 31 Pause notifications.
The Virginia plant, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture records Dozens of violations These include reports that inspectors found insects, mold and blood stains.
Documents show that from Aug. 1, 2023, to Aug. 2, 2024, department personnel documented 69 instances of noncompliance with federal regulations at the plant CBS News Gets Through federal Freedom of Information Act requests.
Documents show the USDA reported on Aug. 8, 2023, that there was “severely discolored flesh buildup” on hydraulic pumps and inspection line motors at the plant, and again reported that there was “severely discolored flesh buildup” on the plant’s walls. ”. June 10, factory room.
The presence of insects is also a problem at the plant, according to the department.
On June 10, flies were found “going in and out” of the pickle bucket, and “small insects like flying mosquitoes were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room.” The department also reported a “steady line of ants” and “flying insects” in the same room, documents show. “Seven ladybugs, one beetle-like insect and one cockroach-like insect” were also reported on the same day.
Boar’s Head said that since the voluntary recall in late July, the company has been working with USDA and state regulators and leading food safety experts to understand the issues and make improvements.
According to Boar’s Head, some of the added measures include: Appointment of a new chief food safety officer who will report directly to the company president; establishes a Food Safety Committee comprised of independent food safety experts; and develops an enhanced company-wide food safety and quality assurance program, Boar’s Head said.
Gallup recently found Americans’ confidence in the government’s ability to provide safe food in the food supply A new low since 1999.
About The Author
