Boar’s Head has announced the indefinite closure of its Virginia deli meat plant, which has been linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak. The outbreak has prompted a nationwide recall of certain meat and poultry products produced at the facility. According to the CDC, the outbreak has hospitalized 57 people and resulted in nine deaths across 18 states.
The shutdown follows an inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which uncovered multiple violations at the plant, including mold, mildew, and insects.
The New York Times reports:
The company also said it had identified liverwurst processing as the source of contamination and would permanently discontinue the product.
“Given the seriousness of the outbreak, and the fact that it originated at Jarratt, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location,” the company said in a statement posted on its website Friday. The shutdown affects about 500 workers in Jarratt, Va., a small rural town whose economic livelihood largely depended on the plant’s business.
Federal inspectors had repeatedly found health and sanitation violations at the plant.
“In response to the inspection records and noncompliance reports at the Jarratt plant, we will not make excuses,” the company said in a statement.
Glad I don’t eat Boar’s Head products.