Boar’s Head closes Virginia plant after deadly listeria outbreak

Sep 13, 2024

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Alex Delia (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)

Boar’s Head announced Friday, Sept. 13, it will permanently close its Jarratt, Virginia, plant, where a deadly listeria outbreak originated. The outbreak hospitalized 57 people across 18 states and resulted in nine deaths.

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The company traced the contamination to liverwurst produced at the facility and has permanently discontinued the product.

Boar’s Head said it will also implement a companywide food safety program, appoint a new food safety officer, and form a food safety council made up of independent industry experts, including former USDA and FDA officials.

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USDA inspections of the Jarratt plant since 2022 reported mold, insects, and other unsanitary conditions. Despite warnings and corrective action requests, the issues persisted, leading to the plant’s indefinite closure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to advise consumers to check for recalled products with “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on the label.

Tags: Contamination, Recall

Lauren Taylor

BOAR’S HEAD HAS ANNOUNCED THE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF ITS VIRGINIA PLANT THAT WAS AT THE CENTER OF A DEADLY LISTERIA OUTBREAK.

THE OUTBREAK, WHICH HOSPITALIZED 57 PEOPLE ACROSS 18 STATES AND CLAIMED NINE LIVES… WAS TRACED TO LIVERWURST PRODUCED AT THE JARRATT FACILITY.

THE COMPANY HAS DECIDED TO STOP PRODUCING AND SELLING LIVERWURST ENTIRELY. IN ADDITION… BOAR’S HEAD IS TAKING STEPS TO STRENGTHEN FOOD SAFETY… INCLUDING APPOINTING A NEW FOOD SAFETY OFFICER AND FORMING A COUNCIL TO OVERSEE OPERATIONS.

USDA REPORTS HAVE CITED MAJOR SANITATION ISSUES AT THE JARRATT PLANT SINCE 2022, INCLUDING MOLD, INSECTS, AND EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS. DESPITE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS, THE PLANT HAS NOW BEEN PERMANENTLY SHUT DOWN.

CONSUMERS ARE BEING ADVISED TO CHECK THEIR KITCHENS FOR RECALLED PRODUCTS MARKED WITH ‘E-S-T 1-2-6-1-2’ OR ‘P 1-2-6-1-2.’

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.