Government inspectors have highlighted unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head deli meat facilities, extending beyond the plant that was closed last year due to a listeria outbreak that resulted in fatalities. Recent reports from Boar’s Head facilities located in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, uncovered numerous instances of meat and fat residue left on machinery and walls, condensation dripping onto food, mold, insects, and various other sanitation issues spanning around six years. In May, an inspector noted “general filth” in a section of the Indiana facility.
The inspection findings were released by the U.S. Agriculture Department following Freedom of Information Act requests by various news outlets. The violations revealed at these plants mirror some of the issues reported at the Jarratt, Virginia plant that was implicated in the listeria poisoning incident. The recent records detail:
— Equipment “covered in meat scraps” documented in 2019.
— “Dry crusted meat from the previous day’s production” and “dark, stinky residue” recorded in 2020.
— A doorway observed with “dried meat juices and grime” in 2021.
— The presence of green mold and flaking paint noted in 2022.
— “Unidentified slime” and “an abundance of insects” reported in 2023.
— A puddle of “blood, debris, and trash” found in 2024.
In a response emailed on Monday, Boar’s Head representatives stated that the violations reported at the three plants fall short of the company’s high standards. They assured that their other facilities continue to adhere to normal USDA regulations, emphasizing the company’s commitment to quality as a leading provider of deli meats and cheeses, known for their tagline of “excellence that stands apart in every bite.” It’s worth noting that records from a fourth facility in Holland, Michigan, did not reveal similar issues.
Following the listeria outbreak tied to their liverwurst, which left over 60 individuals ill and resulted in 10 deaths across 19 states, Boar’s Head ceased liverwurst production and closed the Jarratt, Virginia plant in September. The contamination was initially detected by health officials in Maryland in an unopened package of liverwurst, prompting a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meats and poultry distributed nationwide. The Agriculture Department later reported that about 2.6 million pounds were recovered.
The unsanitary conditions reported at these additional Boar’s Head plants have raised significant concerns, according to Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the non-profit Consumer Federation of America. He stated that this could lead some consumers to avoid deli meat entirely, stressing that companies like Boar’s Head need to work to regain the public’s trust.
Lawsuits have begun to emerge in response to the outbreak, including one from Garett Dorman, whose mother died after consuming Boar’s Head liverwurst. Dorman expressed his frustration and sadness over the matter, urging that the company needs to take immediate action to overhaul its safety protocols across all facilities and prioritize consumer health.
Lawmakers, such as Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Rosa DeLauro, have criticized the USDA officials for not implementing stricter measures against Boar’s Head despite the ongoing violations. The inspector general of the USDA is currently evaluating the agency’s handle on the situation, while the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether criminal charges may be applicable.
In a report released recently, USDA officials indicated that “inadequate sanitation practices” at the Jarratt plant were contributory to the outbreak, pointing to product residue, condensation, and structural issues in the buildings. State inspectors, working collaboratively with USDA, had documented various sanitation failures including mold, insects, and residue throughout the facilities.
The USDA has announced new initiatives aimed at controlling listeria in facilities producing ready-to-eat foods, including expanded testing protocols, updated training resources, heightened inspections, and enhanced oversight of state inspectors. To further bolster their safety measures, Boar’s Head is in the process of hiring a “food safety culture manager,” according to Frank Yiannas, a former FDA official who is currently consulting for them.
