Authorities have linked the Virginia-based Jarratt plant of Boar’s Head, a prominent name in deli meats, to a serious health crisis involving listeria. They traced the outbreak to liverwurst produced at this location. This devastating occurrence led the company to decide on a permanent closure of this facility.
Investigation Reveals Source of Listeria Outbreak
Boar’s Head conducted an internal investigation which pinpointed a specific production process exclusive to the Jarratt plant as the source of contamination. This process was only utilized in the production of liverwurst. After identifying the cause, the company initiated a recall of over 7 million pounds of various deli meats and products in late July.
This recall was a response to the increasing number of listeria cases that had begun to emerge across 18 states, eventually affecting approximately 50 individuals, with nine tragic fatalities reported. The affected products were immediately pulled from shelves as the plant operations were halted.
History of Compliance Issues at Jarratt Facility
Before its closure, the Jarratt plant faced numerous challenges related to health and safety standards. Specifically, in the past year alone, governmental inspectors cited the facility for 69 instances of noncompliance. These issues ranged from the presence of mold and insects to various other unsanitary conditions, which ultimately contributed to the decision to shutter the site permanently.
Consequently, the sweeping impact of these health risks stirred Boar’s Head to issue a statement voicing their regret and apologies for the outbreak, thereby underlining the gravity of the situation and their commitment to public safety.
Impact on Employees and Company Direction
The closure of the Jarratt plant translates to a significant loss for the local community, affecting hundreds of employees. Boar’s Head has expressed a deep understanding of its role as a major employer in the area and is consequently assessing the implications for its workforce.
Moreover, alongside addressing immediate safety concerns, this incident has compelled Boar’s Head to appoint a new chief food safety officer. This role will be crucial in supervising food safety practices and will report directly to the company’s president, thereby emphasizing the heightened priority on health standards.
Boar’s Head to Enhance Industry-Wide Food Safety
Looking forward, Boar’s Head is establishing a safety council as part of a broader initiative to overhaul its food safety protocols. The council will feature renowned experts, including Mindy Brashears and Frank Yiannas, who have previously held significant regulatory positions in the USDA and FDA, respectively.
Consequently, through these measures, Boar’s Head aims to not only rectify current shortcomings but also pave the way for industry-wide improvements in food safety. In fact, the company outlines this challenging time in its history as an opportunity to foster greater resilience and safety across the sector.
Under these circumstances, a Boar’s Head spokesperson commented, "We feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course," signaling a definitive end to the production challenges at the Virginia facility. With these steps, the company intends to restore trust and ensure the highest safety standards moving forward.
