A deadly Listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to a major recall of popular Boar's Head Deli meats has been brought to an end, federal health officials announced Thursday.
Ten people died and 61 became ill in 19 states after eating Boar's Head products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, including liverwurst. The illness was reported from late May to mid-September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the CDC, a Listeria outbreak is considered to occur when 60 days or more have passed since the last reported illness. Additionally, deli products linked to the outbreak are now past their best-before dates.
After recalling more than 7 million pounds of Boar's Head deli meat that had been distributed nationwide, company officials shut down the production plant in Jarratt, Virginia, and permanently stopped making liverwurst.
Boar's Head faces continued scrutiny after dozens of reports of problems at the plant, including mold, insects, water spots and contamination of walls, floors and equipment.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting an internal investigation into whether federal agents and Virginia state inspectors responded to reports of serious problems. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who requested the investigation, has not received an update on its findings, his staff said.
The company also faces dozens of lawsuits filed by people who have fallen ill and their families.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service officials declined to share inspection and enforcement documents at the USDA plant, as well as inspection reports from eight of its other plants across the country.
The Associated Press is appealing the denial of the public records request.
