By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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MONDAY, Aug. 11, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 A Boar\u2019s Head<\/a> deli meat plant in Virginia that was linked to a deadly listeria outbreak last year<\/a> will reopen soon, federal officials say. But recent inspections show similar sanitation problems at other company sites.<\/p>\n The Jarratt, Va., facility was closed down in September 2023 after U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors found the company \u201cfailed to maintain sanitary conditions,” the Associated Press<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n The listeria outbreak killed 10 people and sickened dozens more. Boar\u2019s Head permanently stopped making liverwurst and recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meats.<\/p>\n The USDA\u2019s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said it \u201cthoroughly reviewed\u201d the plant and lifted its suspension on July 18, noting in an email to the AP <\/em>that “the serious issues that led to suspension have been fully rectified.\u201d<\/p>\n Records obtained by the AP<\/em> show that inspectors found similar sanitation issues this year at Boar\u2019s Head facilities in Arkansas, Indiana and Virginia. The most recent report, from June, cited problems, including:<\/p>\n Meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Blocked drains filled with meat scraps<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Condensation dripping over surfaces that come in contact with food<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Employees skipping hairnets, aprons and handwashing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In April, an inspector at the Petersburg, Va., site found discarded meat, including \u201c5-6 hams, 4 large pieces of meat, a large quantity of pooling meat juice,\u201d under equipment, the AP <\/em>said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a pattern of negligence \u2014 cutting corners to protect the company\u2019s bottom line at the expense of consumers and these conditions show a complete disregard for food safety and for the public health of the American people,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro<\/a>, a Connecticut Democrat.<\/p>\n Experts warn that the ongoing issues signal deeper problems.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat jumped out to me is there is an organizational culture issue that needs to be changed,\u201d Barbara Kowalcyk<\/a>, director of the Food Safety and Nutrition Security Center at George Washington University, told the AP.<\/em><\/p>\n The company defended its response to last year\u2019s outbreak.<\/p>\n \u201cBoar\u2019s Head has an unwavering commitment to food safety and quality. That commitment is reflected in recent enhancements to our practices and protocols,” the company said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have also been working with the USDA in developing a plan to reopen our Jarratt facility in a measured, deliberate way in the coming months,\u201d the company added, as reported by the AP.<\/em><\/p>\n Listeria bacteria can cause listeriosis, the No. 3 cause of death from food-borne illness in the U.S.<\/p>\n It is especially dangerous to people who are pregnant, older or who have weakened immune systems. Experts advise people in those groups to be cautious.<\/p>\n “There are issues at this organization that still are not completely under control, apparently,” Kowalcyk told the AP.<\/em><\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The Mayo Clinic has more on listeria<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n