Black and green mold. Mildew. Insects, alive and dead. Puddles of blood.
All of those conditions were found at a Boar's Head plant in Virginia linked to an nationwide outbreak of listeria, according to Food Safety and Inspection Service records obtained by CBS News .
The company headquarters for Boar's Head is located in Sarasota, Florida.
Deli meat from the Virginia plant have been linked to a listeria outbreak , including nine deaths, and lead to a nationwide recall of potentially contaminated deli meats .
Here's what you should know.
What deli meats did Boar's Head recall for listeria?
On July 26, the Sarasota-based company announced it was recalling 207,528 pounds of deli meat linked to an outbreak of listeria that had killed two people and affected 34 across 13 states.
Less than a week later, the company expanded the recall to about 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products after a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for listeria.
The expanded recall included 71 products produced between May 10 and July 29 under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names.
➤ Full list of items included in recall
The recalled food "includes meat intended fo r slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations, including Publix.
"These products have “sell by” dates ranging from July 29 through Oct. 17, 2024," according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
A Boar's Head spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Network-Florida via email all of the recalled products were produced in the company's Jarratt facility in Virginia.
Publix pulls Boar's Head meat from supermarkets
After the recall was announced on July 26, Publix posted on its website :
"We take our responsibility for our customers' safety very seriously. We vigilantly monitor regulatory agencies, so we're among the first to know when a product recall or food safety warning is issued. If a recall or warning occurs, we immediately alert store locations to remove the product from the shelves (if sold there). We post details here on Publix.com to keep you informed."
Deaths, illnesses linked to listeria in Boar's Head deli meat
Fifty-seven people in 18 sta tes have been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria as of Aug. 27, according to the Centers for Disease Control. All 57 were hospitalized.
Nine deaths have been reported, including one in Florida:
- 2 in South Carolina
- 1 in Florida
- 1 in Illinois
- 1 in New Jersey
- 1 in Virginia
- 1 in Tennessee
- 1 in New Mexico
- 1 in New York
Inspectors filed numerous reports of 'noncompliance' at Boar's Head Virginia plant
A total of 69 reports of "noncompliances" were filed by inspectors with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service over the past year at the plant in Jarratt, Virginia, according to records obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Inspectors found insects — alive and dead — black and green mold, as well as mildew, within the plant in the weeks before Boar's Head Provisions Co. Inc, issued the July 26 recall of more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst due to potential listeria contamination .
Boar's Head: USDA noncompliance reports
Among the "noncompliances" listed in the records CBS News acquired from the USDA:
- July 25, 2024: A flying insect was spotted near a rack holding 980 pounds of Tavern Ham.
- July 23, 2024: An inspector found what "appeared to be black mold and mildew" and rust underneath hand washing sinks.
- July 17, 2024: Three dead insects found in the Cure Cooler and several more, two of which were alive, in the facility.
- June 10, 2024: "Approximately 15-20 flies were observed going in and out of the 4 vats of pickle left in the room" (on the plant's "raw side"). Also found in other parts of the plant were "small flying gnat like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room," plus "a steady line of ants … traveling down the wall floor junction on the right side of the room" and 7 ladybugs, 1 beetle-like insect and 1 cockroach-like insect.
- February 21, 2024: "Ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor" in the Raw Receiving cooler. "There was also a rancid smell in the cooler."
Number of people infected with listeria probably higher
"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC said.
"This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak."
Investigators asking people what food they ate
The investigation of the listeria outbreak is continuing as state and local public health officials interview people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick.
"Of the 44 people able to be interviewed, 41 (93%) reported eating deli meats ," the CDC said. "Thirty-nine of the 41 (95%) reported eating meats sliced at a deli. Of the 41 people who answered if they ate liverwurst, 25 (61%) reported deli-sliced liverwurst before getting sick, and 19 reported Boar's Head brand. These deli meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis."
CDC advice when it comes to eating deli meat
"The CDC advises people to not eat recalled deli meat products.
"CDC always advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system , to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them before consuming."
What was Boar's Head response to the report of listeria?
"We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families," Boar's Head spokesperson Elizabeth Ward told USA TODAY in a statement. "No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness."
Boar's Head is working to disinfect the plant and provide additional training to employees there, Ward said, adding production will not resume until it meets "the highest quality and safety standards."
In an email sent to USA TODAY Network-Florida in July, right after the first recall was issued, a Boar's Head spokesman said:
"At Boar’s Head, the health and safety of our customers is our top priority. As soon as a Listeria adulteration was confirmed in our Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, we immediately and voluntarily recalled the product.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we also made the decision to voluntarily recall additional products that were produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst product. Customers should discard these products, or return them to the store where purchased for a refund.
"We are committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards. We are cooperating fully with government authorities and conducting our own investigation into this incident."
Where were the recalled Boar's Head deli meats sold?
The deli meats were sold to retail deli locations nationwide, the USDA said.
What are listeria?
Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate many foods, according to the CDC.
What are symptoms of a listeria infection?
Symptoms typically start a week to four weeks after eating contaminated food. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
How can you avoid listeria?
Especially for those in high-risk groups, the CDC offers the following suggestions to avoid the listeria bacteria found in food. High-risk groups includes people w ho are pregnant and their newborns , adults aged 65 or older , and people with weakened immune systems . Do not eat:
- Unpasteurized soft cheeses, such as queso fresco and brie.
- Unheated cheeses sliced at a deli.
- Unheated deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages.
- Premade deli salads, such as coleslaw and potato, tuna, or chicken salad.
- Refrigerated pâté or meat spreads.
- Refrigerated smoked fish.
- Raw or lightly cooked sprouts.
- Cut melon left out for more than 2 hours. One hour if it’s exposed to temperatures hotter than 90 degrees.
- Cut melon in refrigerator for more than a week.
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
Can listeria on food be killed?
Listeria is easily killed by heating f ood to a high enough temperature, the CDC said.
Do not eat meats that have been sliced at any deli counter unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees or until steaming hot.
Contact Boar's Head with questions about recall
Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., Customer Service at 1-800-352-6277.
Boar's Head headquarters located in Sarasota, Florida
Founded in 1905 in the New York City area, Boar's Head has been headquartered in Sarasota since 2001. The company is located at 1819 Main St. Suite 800.
Company founder Frank Brunckhorst was dissatisfied with the quality of hams available and "set out to craft products of uncompromising standards by using only the finest ingredients. Over the years, our company has grown, but our standards for quality have never wavered."
The company's mission statement said: "Our mission is to continue to be recognized as the leading provider of exceptional customer service and superior quality delicatessen products."
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Inspectors found mold, insects at Boar's Head plant linked to listeria outbreak. What we know
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