Infected meat factory quietly reopens after causing 10 deaths
The Jarratt facility is set to resume operations later this year after it was shuttered last September, which the company described as a 'dark moment' in its history.
Mold, mildew and insects were found by inspectors at the facility.
Boar's Head deli meat triggered the biggest listeria outbreak in the US in over a decade last July — which left 10 people dead and over 60 hospitalized across 19 states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the outbreak was over a couple of months after operations ceased at the plant.
Boar's Head has been working with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reopen the facility — including the enforcement of new practices and protocols to ensure consumer safety.
A USDA spokesperson explained to the Daily Mail that the establishment will be operating under the new plan for at least 90 days.
It will be overseen by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors, and include intensified listeria sampling and monitoring to 'ensure the establishment consistently and effectively implements its corrected food safety plans.'
Issues for Boar's Head began in July last year when it recalled over 200,000 pounds of meat linked to the outbreak. At the time, the meat was linked to 34 illnesses and two deaths.
The investigation found traces of bacteria on liverwurst samples, which were also processed alongside other meats.
The company recalled the remaining 7 million pounds days later — which included ham, beef salami and turkey sold in stores and bulk. The third death was reported a week after the second recall.
By the end of August, five other victims from Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina had died following the contamination. The final two followed soon afterward.
Among those to die was father-of-three and Holocaust survivor Gunter Morgenstein, who had regularly consumed the company's liverwurst because it reminded him of his native Germany.
The USDA's reports indicated the company had 69 violations at the Jarratt plant last year alone.
Inspectors noted they spotted flies going in and out of vats of pickles and ants were crawling all over the walls.
Other issues included built up mold and mildew on surfaces, a 'rancid smell' in some areas and 'amble blood' covering sections of the floor.
The facility temporarily closed in September 2024 after officials spotted 69 health violations
Sue Fleming and Gunter 'Garshon' Morgenstein are among the victims of the listeria outbreak
At the time of the closure, Boar's Head made sure the plant underwent deep-cleaning and sent all staff to be retrained.
The USDA returned to the property and lifted the factory's forced suspension on July 18 after the organization found it to be in full compliance of safety guidelines and protocols.
Listeria is a rare foodborne illness that can be deadly depending on the person and part of their body that is infected.
It can especially be harmful for newborns, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women and anyone with weakened immune systems.
Infected individuals may experience diarrhea, upset stomach and vomiting, and symptoms can often start with 24 hours after eating tainted food.
If listeria spreads from the gut to other parts of the body, the victim may experience headaches, confusion or seizures.
Experts advise anyone with symptoms such as a high fever and discomfort or pain due to light to see a medical professional.
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