Government inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head deli meat plants, not just the factory that was shut down last year after a deadly outbreak of listeria poisoning, federal records show.
The conditions revealed at the other Boar’s Head plants are “really concerning,” said Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group.
“Companies like Boar’s Head, they should have to earn consumers’ trust.” Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits connected to the outbreak.
“This makes me extremely angry and sad,” said Garett Dorman, whose mother, Linda Dorman, 73, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, died in July after eating Boar’s Head liverwurst.
“I believe Boar’s Head needs to completely revamp their program at all of their facilities,” Dorman said in an email.
Several Boar’s Head deli meat plants, not just the one that was closed last year due to a fatal listeria poisoning outbreak, had unhygienic conditions noted by government inspectors, according to federal records.
In recent reports, Boar’s Head plants in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, detailed numerous incidents of meat and fat residue left on walls and equipment, dripping condensation that fell on food, mold, insects, and other issues that dated back about six years past. In May of last year, an inspector found “general filth” in one of the Indiana plant’s rooms.
The U. S. In response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act from The Associated Press and other news outlets, the Agriculture Department made the inspection records public.
The issues reported at the three factories are similar to some of the infractions discovered at the plant in Jarratt, Virginia, that was connected to the food poisoning incident. This is what the recently published reports explain.
— In 2019, equipment was “covered in meat scraps.”.
— “Dark, odorous residue” and “dry crusted meat from the day before” discovered in 2020.
In 2021, a doorway covered in “dried meat juices and grime.”.
Paint flaking and green mold in 2022.
— “A profusion of insects” and “unidentified slime” in 2023.
— In 2024, a pool of “blood, debris, and trash.”.
No such issues are found in the records of a fourth Boar’s Head plant in Holland, Michigan.
Boar’s Head shut down its plant in Jarratt, Virginia, and ceased production of liverwurst in September after the product caused listeria poisoning that sickened over 60 people across 19 states, including 10 fatalities.
Maryland health officials initially found a package of unopened liverwurst contaminated with listeria. The company issued a nationwide recall for over 7 million pounds of deli meat and poultry that were ready to eat. The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Agriculture Department estimates that approximately 20.6 million pounds were eventually recovered.
Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the nonprofit advocacy group Consumer Federation of America, called the conditions found at the other Boar’s Head plants “extremely concerning.”.
“It makes sense for some people to choose not to consume deli meat,” he stated. Businesses like Boar’s Head ought to have to gain the trust of their customers. “.”.
Numerous lawsuits against Boar’s Head are related to the outbreak.
“This makes me very sad and angry,” said Garett Dorman, whose mother, Linda Dorman, 73, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, passed away in July after consuming liverwurst made from boar’s head. He claimed that liverwurst was one of the few foods she would eat because she had cancer. According to court filings made by the Seattle law firm Marler Clark, he is suing the business.
Dorman wrote in an email, “I think Boar’s Head needs to completely revamp their program at all of their facilities.”. “Boar’s Head should prioritize the well-being of its citizens.”. “.”.
Senators are among the lawmakers. Representative Richard Blumenthal and Mr. USDA officials have come under heavy fire from Rosa DeLauro for failing to take more aggressive action against the company in spite of evidence of ongoing issues. The USDA inspector general is examining how the agency handled the matter. The U. A. Whether criminal charges are necessary is being looked into by the Department of Justice.
The lawmakers issued a statement saying, “The DOJ should take into consideration the new records released by FSIS, especially as they may point to a wider, systemic problem.”. These reports clearly demonstrate a culture of disregard for important safety and hygienic procedures. “”.
USDA officials said in a report issued Friday that the outbreak was caused in part by “inadequate sanitation practices” at the Jarratt plant. The agency discovered that the main contributing factors were product residue, condensation, and structural issues with the buildings. As previously reported by the AP, state inspectors collaborating with USDA had found mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and residue of meat and fat on walls, floors, and equipment.
Expanded testing, updated training and equipment, more inspections, more food safety reviews, and more oversight of state inspectors who work for the USDA are some of the new measures USDA officials have promised to control listeria in plants that produce ready-to-eat foods.
Former U.S. official Frank Yiannas says Boar’s Head is hiring a “food safety culture manager.”. A. FDA, which currently provides the company with advice.
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