A deadly listeria outbreak linked to a Boar’s Head plant has led to an investigation that uncovered dozens of disturbing violations at the Virginia location.
New records released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveal that the plant was repeatedly flagged for mold, insects, and other violations at the Jarratt, Virginia, facility that was the source of contaminated products distributed nationwide. At least nine people have reportedly died and more than 50 have been hospitalized across various states.
(Video Credit: CBS News)
“Records released by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request tally 69 records of ‘noncompliances’ flagged by inspectors over the past year at the Jarratt plant,” CBS News reported Thursday.
“While the service is ultimately responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations at the plant, a spokesperson for the agency said Thursday it was relying on staff from Virginia — not USDA employees — to man the site,” the report added.
Some have suggested the hiring practices and staffing led to the issues found at the plant though no further information is available on those claims.
Boar’s Head Brand meat prioritized hiring “refugees,” and now 9 American’s have died as a direct result of tainted meat that came from their Virginia processing plant. pic.twitter.com/2SJ5xTxrAh
— Brenden Dilley (@WarlordDilley) August 29, 2024
“This is the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
The company released a statement on Thursday.
“We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness,” a Boar’s Head spokesperson said.
“FSIS has suspended inspection at the Boar’s Head establishment in Jarratt, Virginia, which means that it remains closed until the establishment is able to demonstrate it can produce safe product,” a Food Safety and Inspection Services spokesperson said in a statement, adding that Boar’s Head “implemented corrective actions in keeping with FSIS regulations.”
The agency published reports that showed no “enforcement actions” by the USDA for the repeated violations.
Boar’s Head insisted that food safety is their “absolute priority.”
“As a USDA-inspected food producer, the agency has inspectors in our Jarratt, Virginia plant every day and if at any time inspectors identify something that needs to be addressed, our team does so immediately, as was the case with each and every issue raised by USDA in this report,” said Elizabeth Ward, a company spokesperson.
She added that they have suspended operations at the Virginia plant which will not be releasing any product “until it meets the highest quality and safety standards.”
“During this time, we have partnered with the industry’s leading global food safety experts to conduct a rigorous investigation to get to the bottom of the events leading to this recall,” Ward said.
According to the records, inspectors had noted issues like leftover meat on equipment, lapses in required paperwork, and the aforementioned mold.
“In July, federal inspectors found what looked to be mold and mildew around the hand washing sinks for the workers tasked with meats that are supposed to be ready to eat,” CBS News reported. “Mold was also found building up outside of steel vats used by the plant, previous records show, as well as in holding coolers between the site’s smokehouse.”
“A black mold-like substance was seen throughout the room at the wall/concrete junction. As well as some caulking around brick/metal,” inspectors noted in January, noting that some spots were “as large as a quarter.”
A puddle inside was found to have “a green algal growth” while condensation was noted to be “dripping over product being held.” A report from February indicated that there was “ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor” and a “rancid smell” throughout a cooler.
Reports of “vats of pickle” left in a room were noted in June by inspectors who wrote: “Small flying gnat-like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room,” and “The room’s walls had heavy meat buildup, pink/orange discoloration, and denaturant overspray on them.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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