Flordia-Based Boar's Head: Virginia Plant had Reports of Insects, Mold, and Mildew

Mold, bugs, and mildew were reported in Boar's Head Plant and were linked to Deadly Listeria Outbreak.

Boars Head MeatsPhoto byOCMM

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Boar's Head, a family-run company based in Sarasota, Florida, is at the center of a devastating listeria outbreak that has claimed the lives of at least nine people and caused numerous illnesses across the United States. The outbreak has been traced back to the company's plant in Jarratt, Virginia, where alarming conditions have been reported.

The outbreak has shaken consumer confidence in Boar's Head, a brand long associated with quality and family tradition. The company, founded in Sarasota, Florida, has expressed deep regret over the incident and has initiated a full recall of its products. Boar's Head has deep ties with another Florida company, Publix; they have had a 30+-year partnership as Publix up-brand deli meat.

What Inspections Found
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak, which has resulted in 57 hospitalizations in 18 states, is linked to Boar's Head deli meats. Genetic sequencing identified the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes in unopened products distributed from the Jarratt plant. The strain matched the one responsible for the outbreak, leading to a nationwide recall of all deli meats produced at the facility.

Inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed a shocking number of violations at the Jarratt plant. Over the past year, there have been 96 instances of "noncompliance," including reports of mold, mildew, insects, and cockroaches throughout the facility. Inspectors found insects, both alive and dead, black and green mold, and rust underneath hand-washing sinks. These conditions raise serious concerns about the company's commitment to food safety.

Boar's Head Meats and PublixPhoto byOCMM

Boar's Head Response
Boar's Head spokesperson, Elizabeth Ward, expressed deep regret over the impact of the recall, stating that food safety is the company's "absolute priority." She emphasized that the USDA has inspectors at the Jarratt plant every day and that the company addresses any issues identified by the inspectors immediately. Despite these assurances, the repeated violations and the tragic consequences of the outbreak suggest a systemic failure in maintaining proper hygiene and safety standards.

The CDC has urged consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled products and to clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated meats. The agency also warned that listeria infections can be particularly dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Looking Forward
As Boar's Head works to disinfect the Jarratt plant and retrain its employees, the company faces mounting scrutiny and potential legal repercussions. The outbreak has not only tarnished the reputation of a once-trusted brand but also long-term partners like Publix, who have touted Boar's Head in their Pub-Subs for years.

For the families affected by this outbreak, no words can fully express their pain and loss. The hope now is that this incident will serve as a wake-up call for the entire food industry to prioritize the health and safety of consumers above all else.

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Research and source materials:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bugs-mold-mildew-inspection-boars-head-plant-listeria/

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2024/08/29/boars-head-recall-plant-listeria-outbreak-bugs-mold-mildew-deli-meat-liverwurst/74994088007/

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/death-toll-now-8-listeria-outbreak-tied-boars-113223877

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/08/29/ny-listeria-death-boars-head-bugs-mold/

https://apnews.com/article/listeria-boars-head-recall-d57985525441b6c5dffd310769b0e6c5

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/boars-head-provisions-co--recalls-ready-eat-liverwurst-and-other-deli-meat-products

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0828-listeria-outbreak-deli-meats.html

https://www.facebook.com/publix/photos/this-year-we-celebrate-25-years-of-partnership-with-boars-head-brand-were-very-p/1647165908665772/?paipv=0&eav=Afa9cgNn7phqU_WJzySN3T2Xl31nUTZk9OyMZUaETJpc2jTirESj1u8LhjSQPA6AGQI&_rdr