By James Myers, OAN Staff
Friday, September 13, 2024 3:07 PM
Boar's Head announced Friday that it would “indefinitely” close a Virginia manufacturing plant that has been linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak.
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“Given the severity of the outbreak and the fact that it occurred in Jarratt, we have taken the difficult decision to close this store indefinitely,” the company said. The store closed in late July.
The deli meat company's Jarratt plant has caused the largest listeria outbreak since 2011, linked to meat sliced at the deli counter, including Boar's Head brand liverwurst, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
August 8NumberFifty-seven people in 18 states have been infected with Listeria, all of whom have been hospitalized. Nine people have died, including one in Illinois, one in New Jersey, one in Virginia, one in Florida, one in Tennessee, one in New Mexico, one in New York, and two in South Carolina, according to the CDC.
“Under these circumstances, we believe closing the plant is the most prudent course of action,” the company continued.
The Jalant plant, which employed an estimated 500 people, closed in July after Boar's Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meats and cheeses made at the facility.
“As one of the region's largest employers, we do not take our responsibility lightly,” Boars Head said in a statement, “but under these circumstances we believe closing the plant is the most prudent course of action.”
According to state inspection reports from the past year, USDA officials found 69 instances of unsanitary conditions, including mold, flying insects, condensation, clogged drains, “foul odors” and rusty equipment. New York Post.
July 31stAccording to a seven-page report posted on Boar's Head's website on Friday, the USDA suspended operations at the facility for failing to maintain standards of cleanliness.
“This is a dark moment in the history of our company,” the company, which was founded 119 years ago, said.
Meanwhile, the company is facing multiple lawsuits from families of loved ones who died, as well as from victims who fell into comas after consuming the dangerous product and are still recovering.
Boar's Head has announced it is forming the Boar's Head Food Safety Council, comprised of leading, independent food safety experts from the industry who have collaborated on the Listeria investigation.
Additionally, they will serve as advisors to the new Chief Food Safety Officer and across the company.
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