The U.S. Department of Agriculture's internal watchdog has launched an investigation into the department's response to violations at the Boar's Head plant that led to Listeria outbreaks in multiple states, Democratic lawmakers said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong has responded to numerous reports of suspected mold, insects, mildew and other unsanitary conditions at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant. He said he was investigating how the incident was handled.
USDA inspectors warned that conditions at the Boar's Head plant posed an “imminent threat” to public health as early as 2022, but Boar's Head and federal regulators took no action.
The outbreak has left at least 10 people dead and nearly 60 hospitalized in 19 states. Boar's Head has linked the outbreak to its deli liverwurst meat, and announced that it will be closing its factory indefinitely and permanently discontinuing the sale of liverwurst.
The investigation comes after Blumenthal sent a letter to Fung last month requesting an investigation.
“The USDA took virtually no action and allowed Boar's Head to continue business as usual at its chronically unsanitary Virginia plant, despite repeatedly finding serious violations. “The Virginia plant should have been shut down years ago before people got sick and died from listeria,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “The IG’s investigation is an important first step in ensuring accountability and ensuring that such a fatal mistake never occurs again.”
Mr. Fong's office did not comment confirming the investigation.
Mr. Blumenthal asked whether appropriate corrective and enforcement actions were taken in this particular case, and whether the agency had an effective process in place to address the broader problems that repeatedly occur at state-inspected facilities. He said an investigation would determine whether authorities have any. The Boar's Head plant was inspected by state officials representing the federal government.
Separate from the inspector general's investigation, Mr. Blumenthal and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) last month urged the Justice Department to intervene and decide whether to bring criminal charges against company executives.
