Boar’s Head Announces Indefinite Closure of Virginia Deli Meat Plant
In a significant development, Boar’s Head has announced the indefinite closure of its troubled deli meat processing plant located in Jarratt, Virginia. This decision comes in the wake of a serious listeria outbreak linked to the facility, which tragically resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left dozens more ill across 18 states.
The company has also revealed that the source of contamination was traced back to their liverwurst processing operations, prompting Boar’s Head to permanently discontinue this product line.
“Given the seriousness of the outbreak and its origins at our Jarratt facility, we have made the difficult decision to close this location indefinitely,” the company stated in an announcement on its website on Friday. This closure will have a substantial impact on the local community, affecting approximately 500 workers in Jarratt, a small rural town that has heavily relied on the plant for its economic sustenance.
Federal inspections had previously highlighted numerous health and sanitation violations at the Jarratt plant. In their response to these findings, Boar’s Head acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “In light of the inspection records and noncompliance reports at the Jarratt plant, we will not make excuses.”
Two years ago, federal inspectors conducted a comprehensive review of the facility and uncovered conditions that were deemed an “imminent threat” to food safety, with issues such as mold, rust, and significant structural damage. Although these findings could have warranted a warning letter or even a suspension of operations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opted against imposing strict measures, allowing the plant to continue operating until the recent outbreak necessitated a halt in production in late July.
Recent federal records released on Friday indicate that inspectors who returned to the plant following the outbreak discovered that Boar’s Head had implemented inadequate controls to prevent the spread of bacterial contamination. Additionally, the company lacked written procedures for employees to follow in order to safeguard against cross-contamination.
