Boar’s Head closes Virginia plant at center of listeria scandal
Boar’s Head is closing the Virginia plant which was at the center of a deadly listeria outbreak, describing the decision as a ‘dark moment in our company’s history.’
The deli plant has also revealed it will permanently discontinue the production of liverwurst, which was the product responsible for the July scandal which left nine people dead and a further 57 hospitalized.
‘Given the seriousness of the outbreak, and the fact that it originated at Jarratt, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location, which has not been operational since late July 2024,’ Boar’s Head said in a statement on Friday.
The closure will impact up to 200 employees at the plant, the New York Times reports.
Boar’s Head is closing the Virginia plant which was at the center of a deadly listeria outbreak
‘It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees. We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers.
‘But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course. We will work to assist each of our employees in the transition process.’
The contamination was caused specifically within the production process of liverwurst at the Jarratt facility, and no other products were affected.
The contamination was caused specifically within the production process of liverwurst at the Jarratt facility, and no other products were affected
It prompted a mass recall over listeria concerns on July 26, including liverwurst produced between June 11 and July 17.
The outbreak was later linked to nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations across 13 states.
The plant described the incident, and the subsequent decision to shutter the doors, as a ‘dark moment in our company’s history.’
Boar’s Head vowed to use this as a lesson and ‘opportunity to enhance food safety… for the entire industry.’
The Department of Agriculture issued a notice of suspension on July 31 to the plant, revealing it would ‘withhold the federal marks of inspection and suspend the operations of Ready-to-Eat products.’
In the notice, it was determined the establishment ‘failed to maintain sanitary conditions.’
More to come