The Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, is permanently closing following a listeria outbreak linked to its liverwurst, resulting in nine deaths and dozens of illnesses across 18 states. The company announced the closure in a press release on Friday, confirming the cessation of liverwurst production at all its facilities.
The outbreak, initially identified in late July with a product recall, has raised serious concerns about potential further health complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that listeria, a resilient bacteria, can persist on surfaces for extended periods. Symptoms may take up to 10 weeks to manifest, raising anxieties as recalled products have sell-by dates extending into October 2024. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for recalled products.
A recent New York Times report highlighted inspection failures at the Jarratt plant, revealing issues such as rust, meat exposed to wet ceilings, green mold, garbage, and insects. Despite these findings, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reportedly failed to implement stricter health regulations.
The plant closure will affect approximately 400 workers, according to the New York Times. Boar’s Head stated it’s offering severance packages and relocation assistance, but specific details remain undisclosed. The company operates other plants in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, and New York.
“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 said in a statement. “But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course. We will work to assist each of our employees in the transition process.”
The CDC’s last update on the outbreak, dated August 28, reported nine deaths linked to the contaminated products, all involving individuals aged 70 or older. Victims resided in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina.
Boar’s Head announced the appointment of a new Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer reporting directly to the president and the formation of a “Boar’s Head Food Safety Council” comprised of independent food safety experts.
“This is a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry,” the company stated.
