Boar’s Head has indefinitely closed its Virginia deli meat plant following a deadly multi-state listeria outbreak linked to its liverwurst product that killed nine people and hospitalized 57. The company stated that the contamination was due to a specific production process unique to the Jarratt facility, leading to the decision to shut it down. Boar’s Head expressed regret, apologized for the situation, and assured that it will assist affected employees in the transition process.
The company recalled its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst on July 25 and the recall was later expanded to include all items produced at the facility amounting to 7 million pounds of meat. The CDC deemed this outbreak as the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011. The USDA issued a notice of suspension to the Jarratt facility on July 31.
Since the voluntary recall in late July, Boar’s Head has been working with regulatory agencies, food safety experts, and implemented various measures to improve food safety, including appointing a new chief food safety officer, forming a food safety council, and enhancing company-wide food safety and QA programs. In addition, Americans’ faith in the government’s ability to provide safe food in the food supply has decreased significantly according to a recent Gallup poll.
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