Boar’s Head Closes Plant Linked to Listeria Outbreak, Discontinues Liverwurst

On Friday, Boar’s Head announced the closure of its Virginia plant linked to a deadly listeria outbreak. An internal investigation at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia, processing plant confirmed contamination connected to the deaths of at least nine people across 18 states. The Sarasota, Florida-based company also revealed it will permanently discontinue production of liverwurst, the product responsible for the outbreak, which has hospitalized around 50 people.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1,600 people contract listeria annually, with approximately 260 fatalities. Listeria is a resilient bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigerated conditions. The infection can be difficult to trace, as symptoms may take up to 10 weeks to manifest after consuming contaminated food.

The Jarratt facility had a troubled history per government inspectors who cited 69 instances of “noncompliance” over the past year, including mold, insects, dripping liquids from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors, and equipment.

Boar’s Head expressed deep regret and issued an apology in a statement on its website. The investigation determined the contamination resulted from a specific production process unique to the Jarratt plant, which was exclusively used for liverwurst. The plant has been inactive since late July after Boar’s Head recalled over 7 million pounds of deli meats and other products after tests confirmed listeria bacteria were causing illnesses. 

Boar’s Head acknowledged that “hundreds” of employees will be affected by the closure. “We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers,” the company stated. “However, given the circumstances, we believe a plant closure is the most prudent course of action.”