The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the report of the investigation into the deadly listeria outbreak connected to Boar’s Head products.
The report states that “inadequate sanitation practices” at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant contributed to the outbreak.
The agency said, “A notable contributing factor was the facility’s inadequate sanitation practices.” It said there were “multiple instances of noncompliance with sanitation Standard Operating Procedures and Sanitation Performance Standards.”
Not abiding by the procedures and standards, the USDA said, allowed the growth of Listeria.
The USDA said inspectors found product residue in the form of meat and fat from the equipment left over from the previous day, condensation dripping or blown on exposed products and structural issues that allowed moisture to accumulate. They also found rust and peeling caulk in the building.
The agency found several ways to correct the issues that involve sampling, training and oversight. It also said that the regulatory policies regarding Listeria may be changed including broader testing.
The outbreak sickened 61 people in 19 states. Sixty of those who contracted Listeria were hospitalized and 10 died, the USDA said.
Read the complete report here:
Boar's Head Public Report 012025 by National Content Desk on Scribd
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