The company’s decision comes after a series of investigations and a federal investigation into the Virginia facility, which has been linked to the outbreak. The investigations revealed that the company failed to implement adequate food safety practices, leading to the contamination of its products. Boar’s Head Provisions has been under scrutiny since the outbreak began in June 2023.

Inspectors turned up dozens of violations at the plant, the setting for the nation’s largest listeriosis outbreak since one linked to cantaloupe in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal inspectors cited the plant repeatedly after finding leftover meat on equipment, mold and mildew buildup, insects in and around deli meats and puddles of blood on the plant’s floor. The company’s investigation found the process used to make liverwurst to be behind the contamination and has therefore decided to no longer make the product at any of its facilities, Boar’s Head stated. Roughly 500 union workers are impacted by the company’s decision to close the plant, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers, the union that represents them.

It is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The bacterium is known for its ability to survive and multiply in a wide range of environments, including cold temperatures, acidic conditions, and even in the presence of disinfectants. This resilience makes it a significant threat to food safety.

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