Boar’s Head indefinitely closes its Jarratt, VA plant after a Listeria outbreak. The company takes steps to improve food safety, impacting employees and industry standards.
Boar’s Head Shuts Down Jarratt Plant Following Listeria Outbreak
On September 13, Boar’s Head made a significant announcement regarding the indefinite closure of its Jarratt, Virginia, facility, which had been shut down since July due to a Listeria outbreak. The closure marks a critical moment in the company’s history, forcing the producer to reconsider its food safety measures and the impact on hundreds of employees.
In a statement, Boar’s Head expressed deep regret over the situation. “This is a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company but for the entire industry,” the company said.
Root Cause of the Outbreak: A Unique Production Process
Boar’s Head’s internal investigation revealed that the contamination was linked to a specific production process that existed solely at the Jarratt plant. This process was used for manufacturing liverwurst, a product that the company has now decided to permanently discontinue in light of the outbreak.
While identifying and eliminating the root cause, the company acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to close the plant. “It pains us to impact the livelihoods of hundreds of hard-working employees,” Boar’s Head added. “We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers. But under these circumstances, we feel that a plant closure is the most prudent course of action.”
Union Response and Employee Transition Support
The United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 union responded to the news, emphasizing that the workers were not at fault for the outbreak and highlighting the company’s efforts to support employees during the transition. The union confirmed that Boar’s Head had agreed to provide workers the option to transfer to other facilities or accept severance packages.
“Everyone agrees this unprecedented tragedy was not the fault of the workforce, so it is especially unfortunate that the Jarratt plant must close indefinitely and put so many men and women out of work,” the union stated. “Thankfully these workers have a union they can count on to always have their backs.”
Revamping Food Safety: A New Chief Food Safety Officer and Council
As investigations into the Listeria outbreak continue, Boar’s Head has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its food safety and quality assurance programs. One of the major steps includes the creation of a new position within the company—a Chief Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer (CFSO)—who will report directly to the president of Boar’s Head. The company is actively recruiting for this role.
In addition to appointing a new CFSO, Boar’s Head is establishing the Boar’s Head Food Safety Council, comprised of independent food safety experts. This council will assist in the investigation and development of enhanced quality assurance protocols.
Key Appointments to the Food Safety Council
The Boar’s Head Food Safety Council will feature some of the leading minds in food safety:
- Dr. David Acheson: President and CEO of The Acheson Group, a global food safety consulting firm, and former Chief Medical Officer at the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
- Mindy Brashears: A former USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety, Brashears is a professor at Texas Tech University specializing in food safety and public health.
- Martin Wiedmann, DVM: A food microbiologist from Cornell University with expertise in foodborne pathogens and prevention, Wiedmann co-directs the New York State Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence.
- Frank Yiannas: A former Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA, Yiannas played a key role in implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and enhancing food safety collaboration at the agency.
A New Era of Food Safety at Boar’s Head
Boar’s Head is committed to making significant changes in its approach to food safety. The Food Safety Council will serve as advisors to the CFSO and guide the company’s food safety protocols going forward. This initiative aims to set new industry standards, reinforcing Boar’s Head’s dedication to product quality and customer safety.
In a statement on its website, the company said, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers and to the safety and quality of our products. 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.”
USDA Citations and Plant Violations
The closure of the Jarratt plant has also led to the release of detailed USDA inspection reports, shedding light on the facility’s long-standing food safety issues. In July, Boar’s Head recalled 7 million pounds of meat and poultry products due to the Listeria contamination, a move that prompted further investigation into the plant’s operations.
USDA documents revealed 69 instances of noncompliance between August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2024. However, a second round of inspection reports uncovered violations dating back to 2022. These findings indicated that the facility had been flagged as an “imminent threat” before the Listeria outbreak occurred.
The Human Toll of the Listeria Outbreak
As of the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 57 people have been hospitalized due to the Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head products, and nine people have tragically lost their lives. The outbreak was traced back to sliced deli meat, including products manufactured at the Jarratt plant.
Boar’s Head’s decision to shut down the plant indefinitely underscores the severity of the outbreak and the company’s efforts to mitigate further risk to public health.
Moving Forward: Restoring Trust and Strengthening Standards
The indefinite closure of the Jarratt facility and the decision to discontinue liverwurst production are critical steps in Boar’s Head’s response to the Listeria outbreak. By appointing a CFSO and establishing the Boar’s Head Food Safety Council, the company is not only addressing the current crisis but also setting the stage for more rigorous safety standards across the entire food industry.
Boar’s Head has made it clear that customer trust is at the forefront of its priorities. “We are determined to learn from this experience and emerge stronger,” the company reiterated, committing to working tirelessly to ensure that all its products meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
As the company continues to navigate this challenging period, its efforts to enhance food safety and support affected employees reflect a commitment to long-term solutions that will help rebuild its reputation and ensure the wellbeing of both its workforce and customers.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Boar’s Head
The Listeria outbreak at the Jarratt plant has been a major turning point for Boar’s Head. As the company takes responsibility for its role in the contamination and moves forward with corrective actions, its decisions will likely serve as a blueprint for improving food safety practices across the industry. The creation of the Food Safety Council and the new CFSO position are just the beginning of what Boar’s Head hopes will be a safer, more accountable future for its operations and the industry at large.
The Jarratt facility remains closed, and investigations continue as Boar’s Head works to implement its enhanced safety measures, ensuring that such an outbreak does not occur again.