It just keeps getting worse for deli meat company Boar's Head. More deaths from listeria contamination in its cold cuts and the conditions of one of its plants in Virginia are coming to light following a USDA inspection report.
According to USDA records, obtained and first reported by CBS News, inspectors found numerous violations at the Jarratt, Virginia plant that dates back to January of 2024, long before the nationwide recall in July that has since "grown to 57 hospitalizations in 18 states linked to recalled products from the plant," CBS reports. "At least nine deaths have now been reported, including two in South Carolina and one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and New York." The company has recalled more than 7 million pounds of meat.
The inspection found several types of bugs, as well as mold.
"The inedible room roll up door leading outside was open approximately 2 inch allowing a steady line of ants into the room. The ants were traveling down the wall-floor junction on the right side of the room. As well as down to the lower-level trash compactor area," a description from a June 10, 2024 inspection reads. "The inedible room also had a presence of flying insects. The room also had multiple instances of meat/meat products on the floor, as well as trash.
"The cure cooler man door in the back right corner of the room insects were observed. Seven ladybugs, one beetle-like insect, and one cockroach like insect."
Signs of mold were significant, too.
The problems weren't just in one area of the plant.
"Inedible Room No.1 entrance had condensation on the doorways and on the condenser unit No. 16 with also had what appeared to be a formation of black patches of mold on the ceiling around the actual unit," a July 25, 2024 inspection description reads. "Cobwebs hanging from multiple light fixtures and dock doors.
"A rusty condenser unit above the compactor, green mold and rust found on the tip of pipes beside the fire alarm."
Boar's Head hasn't commented or released an official statement regarding the inspection report. The company last posted to social media on August 16 writing on Facebook, "We understand that you have questions and there may be some confusion given the volume of reporting. To clarify product recall information and to answer frequently asked questions, please visit https://boarshead.com/products-recall-2024."
An image shared by the company in the same post reads, "For generations, Boar's Head has always been, and remains, committed to the quality and safety of our products."
—Dominic Genetti, Plainview Daily Herald, Texas (TNS)
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