Boar’s Head to reopen plant as mold and funky meat problems pop up elsewhere

Boar's Head is gearing up to reopen its Jarratt, Virginia facility, which was previously linked to a severe Listeria outbreak last year. This decision comes even as federal inspections have continued to uncover sanitation issues at three of the company's other plants, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. The AP reviewed 35 pages of inspection reports through a Freedom of Information Act request, detailing inspections conducted from January 1 to July 23 at facilities in Forrest City, Arkansas; New Castle, Indiana; and Petersburg, Virginia. The findings revealed a range of health violations that included the presence of mold, condensation dripping onto food preparation areas, overflowing trash bins, and significant buildup of meat and fat residue on surfaces and equipment. Additionally, blocked drains and pooling meat juice were documented. Concerns were raised about the staff as well, with reports of employees failing to wear appropriate protective gear such as hairnets and aprons, and neglecting proper handwashing protocols. At the Petersburg facility, inspectors noted an alarming accumulation of meat waste beneath equipment, including several hams and a substantial amount of pooled meat juice. These sanitation issues mirror those previously identified at the Jarratt plant before the Listeria outbreak—linked to the company's liverwurst—that resulted in the facility's closure. The outbreak, which lasted from July to November of the previous year, sickened 61 individuals across 19 states, leading to 60 hospitalizations and 10 fatalities. Inspection reports from that time revealed similar sanitation problems, including mold, water leaks, dirty equipment, and even blood pooling on the floor. In response to the outbreak, Boar's Head pledged to implement significant changes to enhance its food safety protocols. This initiative includes the establishment of a panel of food safety advisors, featuring Frank Yiannas, a former FDA official, and Mindy Brashears, who previously served as undersecretary for food safety at the USDA and has been nominated for the position again under the current administration.