The meat processing plant linked to a fatal listeria outbreak has been closed indefinitely.
Boar’s Head Provisions announced on Friday that its plant in Jarratt, Virginia will remain shuttered with no plans to reopen weeks after the bacterial outbreak was reported.
“We understand the gravity of this situation and the profound impact it has had on affected families,” the company said in a statement. “Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.”
An estimated 500 workers are expected to be impacted by the processing plant’s closure, per The Washington Post.
“It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees. We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers,” said Boar’s Head. “But, under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course. We will work to assist each of our employees in the transition process.”
At least nine people have died due to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak and another 48 have been hospitalized. The deaths were recorded in multiple states including Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina.
“This is the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a statement. “Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis.”
The outbreak has been linked to a Boar’s Head liverwurst product. The company began a voluntary recall on July 25 and the product has now been permanently discontinued.
The Virginia facility had been cited by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors for multiple health and safety violations during the past year. A report from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services obtained by CBS News.
According to the outlet:Beyond issues like paperwork lapses and leftover meat on equipment, the records show inspectors faulted Boar's Head several times for mold or mildew building up around the company's facilities in Jarratt.
In July, federal inspectors found what looked to be mold and mildew around the hand washing sinks for the workers tasked with meats that are supposed to be ready to eat.
Mold was also found building up outside of steel vats used by the plant, previous records show, as well as in holding coolers between the site's smokehouses.
In addition to getting rid of liverwurst and closing the plant, Boar’s Head has vowed to appoint a new Chief Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer and establish a food safety council managed by independent food safety experts. The company will also launch a more intensive companywide food safety and quality assurance program.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers and to the safety and quality of our products,” the company told the public. “You have our promise that we will work tirelessly to regain your trust and ensure that all Boar’s Head products consistently meet the high standards that you deserve and expect. We are determined to learn from this experience and emerge stronger.”
