A report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has found that unsanitary conditions at a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia contributed to a deadly listeria outbreak last summer, which resulted in 10 deaths and 61 illnesses across multiple states.
The outbreak, which affected individuals in 19 states, led to a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) highlighted several sanitation failures at the plant that allowed Listeria monocytogenes to thrive.
According to the USDA report released on Friday, inspectors identified multiple instances of “noncompliance” at Boar’s Head’s Jarratt, Virginia facility in the weeks leading up to the outbreak. Among the issues were the presence of mold, live and dead insects, product residue from previous production, condensation dripping onto exposed products, and structural problems that created opportunities for bacterial contamination. These unsanitary conditions were seen as contributing factors in the spread of listeria.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can survive in refrigerated environments and is known to cause listeriosis, an infection that can be particularly dangerous to vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can range from mild flu-like effects to severe complications, such as miscarriage or death in some cases.
The FSIS report emphasized that these issues should have been addressed more effectively, with inspectors noting that repeated violations pointed to systemic problems within the plant. Despite these concerns, the plant remained operational until it was closed in September 2024. The outbreak led to significant public health concerns, with 60 people hospitalized and the recall of products that may have been contaminated.
In response to the findings, the USDA has called for a review of its own oversight practices. The FSIS has pledged to improve inspections at ready-to-eat food plants, expand listeria testing, and implement updated training for inspectors to better identify and address sanitation failures. The agency also plans to update its risk evaluation system to better identify high-risk facilities and prevent future outbreaks.
Boar’s Head has expressed regret for the outbreak and stated that it is working with the USDA to improve its food safety protocols. The company has reached a settlement in principle for a class-action lawsuit related to the incident, though the details are still being finalized.
The report has sparked calls for stronger regulations and better enforcement of food safety standards to prevent similar outbreaks in the future. Critics, including some lawmakers and food safety advocates, have questioned why the plant was allowed to remain open despite ongoing noncompliance, and they have called for further investigation into the USDA’s role in overseeing food safety at the plant.
As part of its ongoing efforts to address the issue, the USDA is working to enhance its listeria prevention measures and ensure better protection for consumers.
