Boar’s Head plant in Virginia to reopen one year after listeria outbreak that led to fatalities.
A processing facility operated by Boar’s Head Foods, which was shuttered last year due to a significant multistate listeria outbreak, is anticipated to reopen in the coming months, according to officials. This facility, located in Jarratt, Virginia, was at the epicenter of an outbreak that ultimately affected over 60 individuals across 19 states and resulted in 10 fatalities, with confirmed cases including two deaths in New York and one in New Jersey.
The serious health concern prompted Boar’s Head to recall more than 7 million pounds of deli meat products and cease production of its liverwurst line entirely. The outbreak was identified in July 2024, when a routine inspection resulted in the discovery of listeria in a sample of liverwurst taken from a retail store in Maryland.
Following the outbreak’s escalation, Boar’s Head announced the indefinite closure of the Jarratt plant in September, citing the gravity of the situation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stepped in, rescinding the federal inspection marks necessary for the plant’s operation, citing unsanitary conditions as the primary concern.
Recent developments indicate a positive shift. Officials from the USDA confirmed that the suspension of the plant’s operation was lifted on July 18 after a thorough review determined that Boar’s Head had achieved full compliance with industry guidelines and protocols necessary for safe food handling and production. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported that all issues leading to the plant’s earlier suspension had been adequately addressed.
However, concerns linger as documents acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that other Boar’s Head facilities—specifically in Arkansas, Indiana, and additional locations in Virginia—have encountered problems similar to those implicated in the Jarratt outbreak. Inspections over the past several months highlighted numerous instances of non-compliance, including blocked drains, overflowing garbage receptacles on production floors, and failure by staff to adhere to proper hygiene practices, such as not wearing hairnets or adequately washing hands.
As the reopening date approaches, scrutiny on Boar’s Head and its safety practices remains heightened. The company’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of its production processes will be critical to restoring consumer confidence in its deli meat products.
With news wire services.
