Boar’s Head deli plant had ‘blood puddled on floor, meat spray on walls & rancid smells,’ as 9 dead in listeria outbreak

AT least nine people have died from a deadly listeria outbreak tied to a Boar’s Head deli plant in Virginia.

New details have now emerged detailing the disgusting images inside the plant – including blood on the floor and overwhelming scents.

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Records now reportedly show that the Jarratt, Virginia , plant repeatedly violated federal regulations that may have caused contamination and more bacteria growth on the deli meat .

The records, released through a Freedom of Information Act request and first obtained by CBS News , show at least 69 cases of “noncompliance” with federal regulations within the last year alone.

Among the records, one report also pointed to “blood in puddles on the floor,” and a “rancid smell in the cooler,” according to CNN .

Several of the violations were also recorded in recent weeks, according to the Associated Press .

The production at the plant was closed in July as it has since been connected to a listeria outbreak across the country.

At least nine people have died as a result and more than 50 others in 18 states have been hospitalized.

All of the sick individuals consumed deli meats from Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc.

In July, the company recalled over 7 million pounds of its deli meat after tests confirmed traces of listeria bacteria.

The Virginia plant will remain closed until inspectors find that it can produce a safe product once again, according to officials with the US Department of Agriculture.

The records detailing the dozens of plant violations did not reveal information about any tests that found evidence of listeria in the Virginia plant.

However, several other sickening cases of “noncompliance” were found.

Specifically, inspectors found insects dead and alive around the plant as well as mold on various doors, ceilings, and near a sink used to wash hands.

Some inspectors also found “heavy discolored meat buildup” as well as “meat overspray on walls and large pieces of meat on the floor,” per the Associated Press.

This summer’s outbreak has been dubbed the largest outbreak of listeria since 2011, when there was one linked to cantaloupe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC is urging shoppers and consumers to look through their kitchens for any of the recalled products.

Specifically, they have pointed to products that have “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” printed on their USDA inspection label.

Other recalled products also have sell-by dates that stretch into October of this year.

Those who have reported being sick primarily said they consumed turkey, liverwurst, or ham produced by Boar’s Head.

In addition to these, the company has also recalled bologna, sausage, and roasted bacon products.

What has been recalled?

In July, Boar's Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meat amid a massive listeria outbreak.

The company recalled:

• Turkey
• Liverwurst
• Ham
• Bologna
• Sausage
• Roasted Bacon

The recalled products had “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” printed on their USDA inspection label.

Some also had sell-by dates of October 2024.

‘DISGUSTING AND SHAMEFUL’

“I think it is disgusting and shameful,” Garshon Morgenstein told the Associated Press .

His 88-year-old father, Gunter, died from a listeria infection connected to Boar’s Head deli meat in July.

Gunter was a German-born Holocaust survivor and was a hair stylist, who worked with multiple celebrities.

He often ate Boar’s Head liverwurst and bought the meat on June 8. He was hospitalized on July 8.

Gunter ultimately developed permanent brain damage and his family members were forced to withdraw life support.

Another lover of liverwurst, Sue Fleming, 88, fell ill after purchasing the deli meat from Boar’s Head.

She spent nine days in the hospital and 11 in a rehabilitation center for listeria.

Fleming and her husband decided to sue Boar’s Head after the incident.

“We wanted no one else to be harmed,” Fleming told local NBC affiliate, KSDK News.

I’m just even more in shock that this was allowed to happen.

Garshon Morgenstein son of man who died from listeria infection in July

BOAR’S HEAD RESPONDS

On Thursday, Boar’s Head confirmed that the Virginia facility had been found to have traces of listeria bacteria.

The company has insisted that the since-closed plant was the only one contaminated.

“We have been working together with the USDA and government regulatory agencies, along with the industry’s leading global food safety experts, to conduct a rigorous investigation to determine how this happened,” Boar’s Head said in a statement on its website.

“We are very close to concluding our investigation and sharing our findings as soon as the USDA has reviewed them.

“At this time, we can say that we are confident that the root cause is limited to a single process at this one plant in Jarratt, Virginia where our liverwurst is made.”

The company has apologized, in a statement obtained by The U.S. Sun.

“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,” the company said.

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