Boar’s Head, a popular brand known for its deli meats, announced on Friday that it is indefinitely closing its Jarratt, Virginia, manufacturing plant, which has been linked to a deadly listeria outbreak. The decision follows months of investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which confirmed that the outbreak originated from this facility. The outbreak, the largest of its kind since 2011, has resulted in 57 infections across 18 states, with nine reported deaths.
In its statement, Boar’s Head explained that closing the Jarratt plant was a necessary step to prevent further contamination. “Given the seriousness of the outbreak, and the fact that it originated at Jarratt, we have made the difficult decision to indefinitely close this location,” the company stated. The facility had been shut down since late July following the first signs of contamination linked to deli meats, particularly the Boar’s Head liverwurst product.
According to the CDC, the outbreak strain of listeria had caused a surge in hospitalizations, and tragically, nine individuals have lost their lives. Victims were located in several states, including Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina. Listeria is a dangerous bacteria that can thrive in chilled environments and is particularly lethal for the elderly, newborns, and those with weakened immune systems.
In light of the investigation, Boar’s Head has taken further action by permanently discontinuing its liverwurst product, which was produced exclusively at the Jarratt facility. The company revealed that the root cause of the contamination was traced to a specific production process used only at that plant. Boar’s Head is now implementing enhanced safety measures to prevent future incidents.
These measures include the appointment of a new chief food safety and quality assurance officer, who will report directly to Boar’s Head’s president. The company has also announced the formation of the “Boar’s Head Food Safety Council,” which will be composed of independent food safety experts. This council will oversee the implementation of advanced quality assurance programs and work closely with the new chief safety officer to set a new industry standard for food safety.
Boar’s Head is actively recruiting for this new leadership role as it seeks to rebuild trust and ensure the highest level of safety in its operations. While the closure of the Jarratt plant marks a difficult chapter for the company, its proactive response signals a commitment to preventing future outbreaks and maintaining its reputation as a trusted brand in the food industry.