Repeated findings of inadequate sanitation practices — such as meat and fat residue on equipment and structural problems — contributed to the listeria outbreak from liverwurst produced at a Boar’s Head facility last summer, according to a USDA report.
The department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reviewed potential contributing factors and regulatory responses after the outbreak, which resulted in 61 illnesses and 10 deaths. Inspection records showed the Jarratt, Virginia, plant tied to the outbreak had numerous food safety violations. It was eventually shut down.
The report released Jan. 10 identified short- and long-term solutions to strengthen FSIS oversight and its listeria approach. These measures include broader listeria species testing to samples of ready-to-eat product and food contact surfaces and updated training and tools for FSIS inspectors to recognize and respond to repeated food safety issues.
FSIS inspectors also will verify listeria-related risk factors at ready-to-eat facilities weekly. The agency will study establishment-review alert triggers to better identify high-risk facilities.
For long-term measures, FSIS concluded that it needs a deeper examination of its listeria rule, with input from stakeholders. Last month, USDA solicited nominations for new members with expertise in listeria for the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. The panel is tasked with providing scientific advice on public health issues in food.
New members will review FSIS’ approach to listeria and make recommendations by 2026 on how to improve them.
However, the agency contended that funding could continue to be a limitation. It said additional resources are needed to ensure meat, poultry and egg products are safe — including adequate funding for states with cooperative agreements with USDA to inspect plants.
While FSIS aims to meet the 50% reimbursement rate for state meat and poultry inspection, appropriated funds have not been enough in recent years to meet this goal, the report said.
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