Boar’s Head to Close Virginia Deli Meat Plant Linked to Listeria Outbreak

On September 14, Boar’s Head announced plans to permanently shut down its Virginia processing facility that has been implicated in a severe listeria outbreak. The Jarratt plant, located approximately 77 miles west of Norfolk, has been inactive since late July.

Prior to this decision, more than 7 million pounds of Boar’s Head deli products were recalled due to potential contamination. These products are widely distributed in grocery stores, including major chains like Kroger, Albertson’s, and Publix.

In a statement released by the company, the closure was described as a necessary but difficult decision due to the outbreak’s serious implications. “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,” they noted. The company emphasized that, under the current circumstances, closing the plant was the most responsible course of action.

As part of the measures taken in response to the outbreak, Boar’s Head has also decided to discontinue the sale of liverwurst, which was identified as the source of the listeria contamination during production.

To enhance food safety in the future, the company plans to implement a comprehensive food safety program. This includes appointing a new food safety officer and forming a food safety council dedicated to overseeing safety protocols.

With around 500 union workers, the Jarratt facility is the largest private employer in Greensville County. A spokesperson from the United Food and Commercial Workers union expressed concern for the workers impacted by this closure.

The listeria outbreak has been officially documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Initially reported on July 20, it was linked to sliced deli meats and resulted in two fatalities and hospitalizations for at least 28 individuals across 12 states. Subsequent updates revealed that the number of hospitalizations had climbed to 57 across 18 states, with nine confirmed deaths.

This incident is notably the largest listeria outbreak reported since one associated with contaminated cantaloupe in 2011. The listeria bacteria are known to cause listeriosis, which is the third leading cause of death related to foodborne illnesses in the United States. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, with severe cases presenting additional symptoms such as a stiff neck, headaches, confusion, or seizures.

In light of the outbreak, the CDC has recommended that consumers heat deli meats purchased from deli counters to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees or until they are steaming hot to mitigate health risks.

The Boar’s Head Brand has a long-standing history, having been founded in the New York City area in 1905. The company was established by Frank Brunckhorst, who aimed to improve the quality of hams available at the time by using only premium ingredients. Today, Boar’s Head remains a family-owned business, headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.

The impact of this listeria outbreak has raised significant concerns regarding food safety practices within the food manufacturing industry, highlighting the importance of stringent health regulations and proactive measures to protect public health.