This alarming revelation sheds light on the severity of the contamination issue and highlights the potential for widespread foodborne illness. It underscores the USDA’s responsibility in ensuring food safety and their commitment to protecting public health. The records indicate that the USDA flagged a range of noncompliances, including improper handling of food, inadequate cleaning and sanitation practices, and potential cross-contamination.
Two rounds of released documentation over a two-year period by USDA detail a number of health violations at Boar’s Head’s rural Virginia facility in that timeframe, including mold and condensation issues during inspections were reported with live beetles or insects in various places, dirt and trash with product buildup on rusted and dirty equipment and blood in puddles on the floor, the New York Times reported. Yet, despite reports detailing the repeated violations and Boar’s Head’s acknowledgment, the 44-year-old Jarratt plant continued to operate. But a company spokesperson pointed out the inspector’s findings were not followed by any enforceable USDA actions.
“They shouldn’t have allowed this company to keep producing ready-to-eat products, lunch meat that’s going to go on people’s tables, when they’re seeing this level of violation,” said Sarah Sorscher, a food safety regulatory expert at the nonprofit advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Consumers had to die before this plant got shut down, really is the bottom line,” she told the Times. The CDC first reported July 20 that a listeria outbreak tied to sliced deli meats had killed two and hospitalized at least 28 other people in 12 states at the time from roughly May 20 to July 5.
This outbreak, which began in late 2022, has already claimed the lives of 10 people and sickened over 1,000 others. The outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat deli meats, specifically those containing the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The CDC has issued a public health alert, urging consumers to avoid consuming these products.
However, after further investigation, the CDC issued a recall on Boar’s Head products. The outbreak, which began in late 2022, has been linked to a specific strain of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. This bacteria is known to cause listeriosis, a serious and potentially fatal illness. Listeriosis can affect individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns.
The investigators also found that the outbreak was linked to a specific strain of Listeria monocytogenes, known as STEC. The strain was found in the food products, and it was also found in the environment where the outbreak occurred. The CDC investigators determined that the outbreak was caused by contaminated food products, specifically Boar’s Head turkey and liverwurst. These products were contaminated with the STEC strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
The report highlighted the facility’s failure to maintain proper food safety practices, leading to the closure of the facility. The USDA report detailed the facility’s repeated violations of food safety regulations, including improper storage of food, inadequate handwashing practices, and the presence of pests. The report also revealed that the facility had a history of food safety violations, with previous inspections revealing similar issues.
The recent outbreak of foodborne illness linked to contaminated meat products has raised concerns about the safety of meat consumption. The outbreak has been linked to a specific type of meat, but the exact source of contamination is still under investigation. The contaminated meat products were sold in various stores across the country, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact origin.
Consumers also can protect against listeria by cleaning their refrigerators and any containers or surfaces that might have contacted sliced deli meats.
