Boar's Head Closes Jarratt Plant Following Listeria Outbreak

Boar's Head Announces Listeria-Linked Plant Closure

Boar's Head has closed its Jarratt, Virginia production facility amidst a serious listeria outbreak tied to its liverwurst products. The closure follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which highlighted significant health violations at the plant. At least nine individuals have died and over 60 others were impacted by this health crisis.

Details of the Outbreak and Response

The facilities were previously shut down following reports of unsanitary conditions including rusted equipment, mold, and pest infestations. Boar’s Head stated that they have identified operational flaws that contributed to this situation and announced plans to permanently discontinue the production of liverwurst.

• Closure of the Jarratt plant is indefinite.
• 7 million pounds of products have been recalled.
• The company will appoint a new Chief Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer.
• Implementation of new safety programs and an independent food safety council.

Boar's Head acknowledged its responsibility, emphasizing a commitment to improve food safety protocols across the industry. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of food safety measures in preventing similar outbreaks in the future.