Boar’s Head announced Friday it plans to indefinitely close its Jarratt, Virginia plant, which produced deli meat linked to a deadly listeria outbreak.
The site, which ceased operations in July, had a history of food safety issues, including 69 violations between Aug. 1, 2023 and Aug. 2, 2024. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service representatives reported finding mold, rusted equipment and insects at the facility.
Since the outbreak began in July, 57 illnesses have been reported, all of which led to hospitalizations. Nine people have died.
The company also shared a suspension notice from USDA that lists "inadequate controls" and sanitation that allowed bacteria to potentially spread through the facility.
“In response to the inspection records and noncompliance reports at the Jarratt plant, we will not make excuses,” the company said in an announcement.
Boar’s Head is also permanently discontinuing liverwurst, after an internal investigation found the root cause of the listeria outbreak was a specific production process that only existed for the product at the Jarratt facility.
The company initially recalled about 207,528 pounds of product on July 26 after traceback data found the liverwurst made at the plant may be contaminated with listeria. Days later, it recalled an additional 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. This included 71 products made between May 10 and July 29 that were distributed nationwide.
All products made at the facility were recalled out of precaution after testing confirmed a link between the liverwurst and the listeria outbreak.
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“It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees. We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers,” Boar’s Head wrote in the announcement. “But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course.”
In addition to closing the plant, Boar’s Head said it is immediately implementing enhanced food safety measures. This includes the appointment of a new Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer who will report directly to the company’s president. Boar’s Head is recruiting for this role now.
Additionally, the company will establish a “Boar’s Head Food Safety Council” with independent food safety experts. Frank Yiannas, former deputy commissioner for food policy and response at FDA, and Mindy Brashears, former USDA undersecretary for food safety, are two of the four founding council members.
Finally, the company has created an enhanced food safety and quality assurance program that will be led by the chief officer. The program will be developed in partnership with the new council and other food safety experts.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers and to the safety and quality of our products,” the company wrote. “You have our promise that we will work tirelessly to regain your trust and ensure that all Boar’s Head products consistently meet the high standards that you deserve and expect.”
USDA's FSIS is continuing to investigate the factors that contributed to the outbreak, despite the closure. This inquiry includes examining practices at other Boar's Head facilities.
"The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service’s investigation into this outbreak is ongoing," said a FSIS spokesperson in an email. "Any death, any hospitalization, related to foodborne illness is one too many, and we are taking this public health matter very seriously."
This story was updated with additional information from USDA.
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