The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified inadequate sanitation at a Boar's Head plant in Virginia as a major contributing factor in last summer's multistate listeria outbreak that resulted in 10 deaths and sickened 61 people.
The report released on Friday by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) revealed multiple violations of food safety protocols, including the presence of mold, insects, and unsanitary conditions.
Newsweek contacted Boar's Head via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
The outbreak represents one of the most serious food safety incidents in recent years, leading to a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat and the closure of Boar's Head's Jarratt, Virginia facility.
The findings have prompted calls for enhanced government oversight and stricter food safety protocols in ready-to-eat meat processing facilities.
What Is Listeria?
Listeria can be found in plants and soil and can withstand very cold temperatures, such as those in a refrigerator.
Consumption of food containing the bacteria can lead to listeriosis, an infection that is particularly harmful to pregnant women, people aged 65 or above, and people with weakened immune systems.
The infection can cause mild symptoms in healthy individuals, including fever, muscle aches and tiredness, but can lead to severe complications in vulnerable populations.
An estimated 1,600 people contract listeria food poisoning in the country each year, of which about 260 dies, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What To Know
Inspectors documented 69 instances of "noncompliance" at the Virginia plant, including product residue from the previous day's production, condensation dripping on exposed products, and structural problems that could harbor bacteria.
The plant remained operational despite these violations until its closure in September 2024. The outbreak affected people across 19 states, with 60 hospitalizations among the 61 reported cases.
What People Are Saying
Boar's Head statement: "We regret and deeply apologize for the recent Listeria monocytogenes contamination in our liverwurst product. We understand the gravity of this situation and the profound impact it has had on affected families."
Sen. Richard Blumenthal in a statement from October: "The Virginia plant should have been shut down years ago before people got sick or died from listeria."
What Happens Next
The FSIS will implement several changes, including prioritizing inspections at ready-to-eat meat facilities, expanding listeria testing protocols, and updating its risk evaluation system. The agency will also provide enhanced training for food safety inspectors.
Meanwhile, Boar's Head reached a November settlement in principle for a class action lawsuit related to the outbreak, with details pending finalization.
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