Home USDA: ‘Inadequate sanitation’ culprit of deadly Listeria outbreak at Boar’s Head plant
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USDA: ‘Inadequate sanitation’ culprit of deadly Listeria outbreak at Boar’s Head plant

Crystal Graham
USDA report on Boar's Head meats in case at grocery store deli counter
(© ColleenMichaels – stock.adobe.com)

In response to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to a Boar’s Head facility in Virginia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, or USDA, released a report on Friday with initial findings and recommendations for improvements.

The Listeria outbreak killed 10 people and was linked to liverwurst produced at the Jarratt plant between May and November 2024. It was the largest Listeria outbreak since 2011.

In the report, FSIS pointed to “inadequate sanitation practices” as the cause of the deadly outbreak. FSIS inspection reports showed ongoing issues with condensation in addition to meat build-up on equipment, overspray on walls, pieces of meat on the floor, blood in puddles on the floor, rancid odors, flies, gnats, cobwebs and green and black mold.

In total, there were 60 people hospitalized, and 61 cases of Listeria reported in 19 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Virginia, there were four cases and one death linked to the outbreak. Three lawsuits were filed related to cases in Virginia: one on behalf of a Newport News man who died; and two others, one from a woman in Williamsburg and one from a man in Smithfield who were hospitalized due to Listeria from the liverwurst product.

Additional deaths occurred in New York (two), South Carolina (two), New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois and New Mexico. There have been numerous lawsuits filed from victims in the 19 states where cases occurred.

Boar’s Head issued a recall of all deli products made at their Jarratt facility in response to the outbreak, a total of seven million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

In September, the company announced the Jarratt plant would close permanently and would no longer produce liverwurst at any of its plants.

Once the immediate public health threat had been addressed, the USDA began a thorough review of the outbreak to identify potential contributing factors and evaluate potential regulatory responses. It also conducted a review of other Boar’s Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia.

USDA report: Breaking down issues in Jarratt


The USDA report noted that based on records and observations, a notable contributing factor was the facility’s “inadequate sanitation practices” documented in numerous noncompliance reports.

Among the issues were:

  • The presence of meat and fat residue from the previous day’s production on equipment
  • Multiple instances of condensation (dripping on exposed product and a fan blowing condensate directly on products)
  • Structural and facility problems including cracks, holes and broken flooring that could hold moisture and contribute to wet conditions. Other problems included rust, beaded condensation and peeling caulk.

FSIS oversight: ‘Deep dive’ conducted into its own practices


The USDA also conducted a “deep dive” into its own practices and procedures related to Listeria monocytogenes controls in ready-to-eat establishments including sampling programs, inspector training and instruction and oversight of establishments under state inspection models.

In December, FSIS announced it would make the following changes within 30 days:

  • Broader Listeria species testing to all samples of ready-to-eat product, environmental and food contact surfaces
  • Leverage the expertise of its National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
  • Update instructions and training for food safety inspectors
  • Food safety assessments at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities
  • Field supervisors will conduct in-person, follow-up visits when systematic issues are identified
  • FSIS inspectors will verify specific Listeria-related risk factors at ready-to-eat facilities weekly

Conclusion: Modernization plan is ‘ambitious’


The report concluded with measures to better protect the public including a long-term vision to modernize the agency’s regulatory approach to Listeria. The agency said the plan is “ambitious” and will take several years to implement but is “necessary to protect public health.”

In recent years, there have been Listeria outbreaks associated with queso fresco, peaches, ice cream, leafy greens, mushrooms, deli meat and cheese. There are approximately 260 deaths in the United States each year attributed to Listeria.

The agency noted that additional funding has been requested in the FY2025 President’s budget to ensure that meat, poultry and egg products are safe for consumers.


Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.