Mold, Mildew, and Insects: 69 Violations Found at Boar’s Head Plant in Listeria Outbreak

According to CBS News, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed numerous violations at a Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, which is now connected to a nationwide recall of deli meats. According to newly released records, the plant was cited for a range of issues, including mold, mildew, and insect infestations throughout the site.

Last month, Boar’s Head issued a recall for all deli meats produced at this Virginia plant after a listeria outbreak was traced back to products distributed from the facility. The outbreak has since resulted in 57 hospitalizations across more than a dozen states, with at least eight fatalities reported. The most recent deaths occurred in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and South Carolina.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described this as the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe.

Authorities in several states found samples from unopened products distributed by the Jarratt plant to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Genetic sequencing confirmed that the bacteria matched the strain responsible for the outbreak. Consumers are being urged to check their refrigerators for recalled meats and to thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products.

“Consumers who were unaware of the recall may have eaten recalled products. People may also have a prolonged course of illness,” a spokesperson for South Carolina’s health department stated after the latest fatalities.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has documented 69 records of “noncompliances” at the Jarratt plant over the past year. These violations were obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request.

It remains unclear whether Boar’s Head will face penalties from the USDA for these repeated violations. Although the USDA has yet to take “enforcement actions” against the company, a spokesperson from the agency did not respond to requests for comment.

Boar’s Head has expressed deep regret over the impact of the recall and emphasized that food safety is their top priority. “As a USDA-inspected food producer, the agency has inspectors in our Jarratt, Virginia plant every day, and if at any time inspectors identify something that needs to be addressed, our team does so immediately,” said Elizabeth Ward, a spokesperson for Boar’s Head.

Operations at the Jarratt plant have been suspended while the company works to disinfect the facility and retrain employees. No products will be released from the plant until they meet the highest safety standards. “During this time, we have partnered with the industry’s leading global food safety experts to conduct a rigorous investigation to get to the bottom of the events leading to this recall,” Ward added.

Inspection records detail various issues at the plant, including mold and mildew accumulation around handwashing sinks, steel vats, and holding coolers. In one instance, inspectors found what appeared to be mold in several areas, with some spots “as large as a quarter.” Other problems included leaking or pooling water, with one puddle containing “a green algal growth.”

In addition to water-related issues, inspectors also reported the presence of insects in and around deli meats. One incident led to the retention of over 980 pounds of ham for investigation after flies were observed near vats of pickle. Other areas of the facility were found to harbor bugs, including ants, a beetle, and a cockroach.

The inspection reports paint a concerning picture of the conditions at the Jarratt plant, raising questions about the company’s commitment to food safety and the potential consequences of these violations.