Boar’s Head facility linked to deadly listeria outbreak closed ‘indefinitely’

JARRATT, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - The Boar’s Head facility in Virginia linked to a deadly listeria outbreak said Friday it is “indefinitely” closed.

At least nine people have died since illnesses were first reported this spring, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The plant in Jarratt hasn’t been operational since late July.

“Our investigation has identified the root cause of the contamination as a specific production process that only existed at the Jarratt facility and was used only for liverwurst,” the company said on its website. “With this discovery, we have decided to permanently discontinue liverwurst.”

The U.S. Agriculture Department reported government inspectors found federal regulation violations at the plant, according to an Associated Press report.

According to the report, inspectors found instances of mold on the ceiling, flies “going in and out” of vats, blood puddled on the floor and meat and fat residue on the walls.

Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of their products in July following a USDA investigation that linked the company to the listeria outbreak.

In its statement Friday, Boar’s Head said this has been a “dark moment” for the company.

“We intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry,” Boar’s Head said.

The union representing workers at Boar’s Head said it reached an agreement with the company to transfer employees to other facilities or accept a severance package.

“We will continue to meet the needs of our members to get them back on their feet, including coordinating with management and the state to provide job placement and other support services for those who choose not to remain with the company,” the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 Union said in a statement.