An investigation into several Boar's Head processing plants after last summer's multistate listeria outbreak uncovered alarming sanitation violations, including trash, insects and "unidentified slime."
Newsweek has reached out to Boar's Head via email for comment
Why It Matters
The investigation followed a food poisoning outbreak that resulted in 10 deaths and sickened 61 people. It was 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.
Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is responsible for roughly 1,600 cases of food poisoning annually in the U.S., with around 260 fatalities. Symptoms of listeria infection can surface shortly after exposure or may take up to 10 weeks to appear, making it challenging to trace the source of contamination.
What To Know
Newly released U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) inspection records show that unsanitary conditions were documented at facilities in Indiana, Arkansas and Virginia, mirroring the problems found at the now-closed Jarratt plant linked to last year's deadly listeria outbreak.
The inspection reports, spanning six years, show repeated health code violations. Inspectors described instances of meat residue, mold, dripping condensation and even insects contaminating production areas.
Among the most concerning findings were equipment "covered in meat scraps" in 2019; "dark, stinky residue" left behind from prior production in 2020; dried meat juices and grime coating a doorway in 2021; green mold and flaking paint in 2022; an abundance of insects and "unidentified slime" in 2023; and a puddle of blood mixed with debris and trash in 2024.
Lawsuits and Political Pressure
The recent findings have prompted calls for enhanced government oversight and stricter food safety protocols in processing facilities for ready-to-eat meat.
Lawmakers, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Rosa DeLauro, have also criticized USDA officials for not taking stronger action against the company, urging the Justice Department to consider criminal charges against the company.
This comes as the USDA inspector general is reviewing the agency's handling of the situation.
In addition, families of those affected by the listeria outbreak are seeking accountability. According to the Associated Press, Garett Dorman, whose mother died after consuming contaminated liverwurst, expressed outrage over the finding and is suing the company, according to court documents filed by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm.
What People Are Saying
Boar's Head told the Associated Press that the violations documented in the three factories "do not meet our high standards."
Garett Dorman told the AP: "This makes me extremely angry and sad. I believe Boar's Head needs to completely revamp their program at all of their facilities. Boar's Head needs to put the welfare of people as their highest priority."
Richard Blumenthal and Rosa DeLauro said in a statement: "The new records released by [the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service] should be considered by the DOJ, especially as they potentially point to a wider, systemic problem. These reports make clear that there is a culture of noncompliance of critical safety and sanitary protocols."
Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group, told the AP that the conditions revealed at the other Boar's Head plants are "really concerning."
He added: "It's reasonable for some people to decide they don't want to eat deli meat. Companies like Boar's Head, they should have to earn consumers' trust."
What Happens Next
Following the findings, Boar's Head is hiring a "food safety culture manager" and consulting with experts to overhaul its practices, according to Frank Yiannas, a former official at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who is now advising the company.
Meanwhile, USDA officials have pledged more rigorous inspections and enhanced protocols for facilities producing ready-to-eat foods.
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