Report Reveals Poor Conditions at Virginia Boar’s Head Plant Prior to Listeria Outbreak
Nearly two years before a listeria outbreak linked to recalled deli meat emerged, inspectors at a Virginia Boar’s Head plant flagged concerning physical conditions that “could pose an imminent threat,” according to documents obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
Inspection reports from the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, have documented issues such as insects, mold, “blood in puddles on the floor,” and a “rancid smell in the cooler” at various times since 2022.
The details of these inspections were first reported by the New York Times, revealing that in September 2022, “major deficiencies” were identified at the plant. Among the issues were rusty equipment, peeling and flaking paint, loose caulk, holes in walls, product residue on surfaces, and dripping condensation. The reports indicated that plant management was notified and instructed to address these concerns.
Officials from Boar’s Head did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on Wednesday. However, the company previously stated that inspectors are present at the Virginia plant “every day,” adding that if inspectors identify any concerns, the team responds immediately.
Operations at the Virginia plant have since been paused. The company has indicated that it is taking time to disinfect the facility, enhance policies and procedures, and train employees. Boar’s Head also mentioned that it is collaborating with food safety experts to investigate the incidents that led to the recall, which was first announced in July.
FSIS announced on Wednesday that its investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. This includes a “holistic look at Boar’s Head establishments across the country.” The agency is examining factors that contributed to the outbreak at the Virginia facility, what improvements are necessary, and whether there are broader lessons to be applied within the ready-to-eat meat and poultry industry.
The Virginia Boar’s Head facility is inspected by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as part of the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program, which enables some states to offer federal inspection services.
“Inspectors found instances of noncompliance, and the establishment implemented corrective actions in keeping with FSIS regulations,” FSIS communicated in a previous statement. “FSIS is working closely with VDACS to ensure the establishment has an effective system in place to produce safe food for the public.”
In related news, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last month that 57 individuals have been hospitalized across 18 states due to the listeria outbreak, with nine fatalities recorded. This outbreak has been characterized as the largest listeria outbreak since the one linked to cantaloupe in 2011.
The CDC noted that the actual number of illnesses could be higher than reported, as some individuals may have experienced milder cases and did not undergo testing for listeria. The agency continues to urge consumers to check their kitchens for recalled products, which bear “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on their labels, with sell-by dates extending into October 2024.
