Deli meat producer Boar's Head announced today the indefinite closure of its Virginia processing plant on Friday. This decision follows a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the facility, which has been connected to nine deaths and dozens of hospitalizations.
The company has also revealed that its liverwurst production process was identified as the source of contamination and will be permanently discontinued.
Federal inspectors had previously flagged multiple health and sanitation concerns at the Jarratt, Virginia plant, with a 2022 report even highlighting an "imminent threat" to food safety. However, stricter actions were not taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the time.
Boar's Head initiated a recall of its lunch meats in July following reports of illnesses linked to its products. Production at the plant was subsequently paused.
"The seriousness of the outbreak, originating at Jarratt, led us to the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location," Boar's Head stated.
Approximately 500 workers at the plant will receive severance packages and relocation assistance, according to a union representative.
Newly released records reveal that inspectors found the company's listeria control measures inadequate after taking equipment swabs in late July.
In response to the crisis, Boar's Head plans to establish a new food safety council and hire a chief food safety and quality assurance officer who will report directly to the company president.
This incident underscores the critical importance of stringent food safety protocols within the industry.
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