Recent records reveal that Boar’s Head’s deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, has repeatedly breached federal health regulations, contributing to a severe food poisoning outbreak. These violations include mold infestations, insect presence, and unsanitary conditions such as dripping ceilings and accumulation of meat residue on various surfaces.
Federal documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests show that inspectors noted 69 instances of noncompliance with federal standards over the past year, including several recent infractions. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended inspections at the facility, which will remain closed until it proves it can produce safe products. Production was initially halted in late July.
The facility has been linked to the deaths of at least nine individuals and the hospitalization of approximately 50 others across 18 states due to listeria infections associated with Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. deli meats. Following the outbreak, the company recalled over 7 million pounds of products after listeria contamination was confirmed.
Between August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2024, inspectors documented severe hygiene issues, including “heavy discolored meat buildup” on equipment and floors, flies around pickle vats, and “black patches of mold” on ceilings. Reports also described blood on the floor and a rancid smell in the cooler. Despite repeated notifications of these violations, corrective measures by Boar’s Head appeared insufficient.
Garshon Morgenstein, who lost his 88-year-old father Gunter to a listeria infection from Boar’s Head liverwurst, expressed outrage over the situation. “I’m in shock that such conditions were allowed to persist,” Morgenstein said.
The plant’s inspections were conducted in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Health and the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Despite identifying problems, there were no federal enforcement actions against Boar’s Head from January to March, according to available records.
The released documents, initially reported by CBS News, did not include specific test results for listeria at the facility. Listeria thrives in difficult-to-clean areas and can be spread by pests, posing significant challenges to plant sanitation.
Boar’s Head has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press, but a spokesperson told CBS News that the company regrets the recall’s impact and claims that all issues were promptly addressed.
Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, expressed concern over the inspection records, questioning why further actions were not taken. Food safety expert Donald Schaffner from Rutgers University noted that recurring sanitation issues are troubling, highlighting the risk factors for listeria.
Listeria infections result in around 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths annually in the U.S., with older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems being particularly vulnerable.
Attorney Bill Marler, who has handled numerous food poisoning cases, described the conditions detailed in the reports as the worst he has encountered in his career. For Garshon Morgenstein, the memory of his father’s death will forever be tied to the Boar’s Head name.
