Records show USDA inspectors found about 92 instances of noncompliance between Jan. 1, 2022 and Aug. 1, 2023 at the Boar’s Head Jarratt, Virginia plant now associated with a major listeria outbreak that has left nine dead.
In total, since the beginning of 2022 to the beginning of August this year, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection service has found over 160 food safety violations at the plant, according to agency records. These include mold and insect sightings.
Earlier this summer, Boar’s Head recalled about 207,528 pounds of product after traceback data suggested its Liverwurst produced in the Virginia plant could be contaminated with listeria. Once this connection was confirmed, the company recalled an additional 7 million pounds of product, including all items made at the facility out of precaution.
An FSIS spokesperson said in an email Thursday that the agency has suspended inspections at the Jarratt establishment, meaning it will remain closed until it has demonstrated it can produce a safe product.
Boar’s Head has partnered with leading global food safety experts to conduct an investigation into the source of the recall, according to a company spokesperson. Additionally, it’s disinfecting, enhancing policies and procedures “where needed” and offering additional training for employees.
“We want to assure consumers that no product will be released from this facility until it meets the highest quality and safety standards that you deserve and expect,” the Boar’s Head spokesperson wrote in a statement.
House Ag Democrat tapped for role in Harris-Walz campaign
Freshman House Agriculture Committee Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was named a national co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign Wednesday.
She joins other lawmakers like Reps. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., and former White House infrastructure lead Mitch Landrieu. Crockett and other co-chairs develop messaging with the campaign, and often speak with voters and media on behalf of the ticket.
The Dallas Democrat has quickly earned national attention. Crockett was even tapped for a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention last week, where she took jabs at Republicans and blamed “MAGA” supporters for blocking passage of the farm bill.
“I am incredibly honored and thank Vice President Harris and Governor Walz for trusting me to be a part of this exciting and vibrant campaign rooted in improving the everyday lives of all Americans across this country,” Crockett said in a statement.
FCC votes to move forward with rural 5G fund
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday announced it had approved a plan to spend up to $9 billion to expand voice and 5G mobile broadband service to rural areas.
The funding will come through the 5G Fund for Rural America, which was first established in 2020 but never rolled out due to the commission’s decision to wait until it could collect better data on service availability.
The commission plans to put out a public notice prior to beginning auctions for the program.
Bovaer heads to China
Swiss-Dutch animal food company dsm-firmenich Thursday announced it has signed an agreement with China Modern Dairy Holdings to “enhance sustainability of Chinese dairy farming" through the use of methane-reducing feed ingredient Bovaer.
Why is this notable? China is aiming to reduce methane emissions across all sectors, including agriculture, through a “Methane Emission Control Action Plan” it released last November. Bovaer is already available in the U.S., as well as 64 other countries.
“We are excited to commence preparations to enter the Chinese dairy market,” the company’s senior vice president for Bovaer said in a release. "We are on track to submit our Chinese registration dossier for Bovaer later this year and hope to gain approval in the coming years.”
House Ag Chair “optimistic” about September farm bill movement
In an interview on the sidelines of the Farm Progress Show, House Ag Committee Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson told Agri-Pulse Newsmakers that lawmakers should be focused on a short-term extension of the farm bill, not a one-year extension.
Senate GOP Whip John Thune, R-S.D., said last week that Congress was likely to pass a one-year extension.
“I love Senator Thune, but he’s completely wrong,” Thompson said. “To continue to do for a year what we have been doing just spells doom and gloom for the American farmer and rancher.”
Newsmakers will be available today at Agri-Pulse.com.
Judge affirms judgment against Illinois man for using Monsanto’s GE seeds
A federal judge has revived an order against an Illinois man to pay Monsanto Production Supply for improper use of Monsanto seeds.
U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough granted a petition filed by the seed company, which had won a judgment in 2017 of nearly $6.9 million against Rick Rosentreter for “improperly converting” genetically engineered soybean seeds. The judge added interest of about $603,000 and made the order effective for another seven years.
Last year, Rosentreter paid about $12,000 toward the judgment, according to the judge’s order. Bayer bought Monsanto in 2018 for about $63 billion.
Final word: “I actually think it’s immoral when in trade wars there’s retaliatory tariffs placed on your food supply and what you need to feed your nation.” — House Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson when asked at Farm Progress if he supports Trump’s proposed trade policy, given the threat of retaliatory tariffs against U.S. ag commodities.
This article has been corrected to note that Rep. Steve Horsford is from Nevada.
