Boar’s Head, a well-renowned company based in Sarasota, Florida, announced last Friday the decision to cease operations at their Virginia plant. This plant has been directly associated with a fatal listeria outbreak. The company also announced that it would put an end to the production of its liverwurst delicacy, which was found to be the source of the lethal contamination. This incident has sadly caused at least nine fatalities and approximately 50 hospital admissions across 18 diverse states.
The company expressed profound regret and heartfelt apologies through a public statement on its official website, for the unpleasant outbreak. Boar’s Head had undertaken an intensive internal probe at its Jarratt, Virginia facility. The probe helped ascertain that a unique production process was the root cause of the contamination. The issue is confined to this particular method which is only implemented at the Jarratt plant and is exclusively used for liverwurst.
The Jarratt facility has been out of operation since late July. The temporary shutdown followed Boar’s Head’s proactive measures of recalling over 7 million pounds of deli meats and other products. This decision was driven by tests affirming that listeria bacteria in their food products were causing illnesses amongst consumers.
Yearly, around 1,600 individuals contract listeria food poisoning, out of which approximately 260 unfortunate cases result in fatalities, states the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The agency also states that these infections are difficult to trace as symptoms can surface up to 10 weeks post-consumption of the contaminated food.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last Thursday that someone has died in Virginia due to listeria food poisoning linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. The listeria bacteria is a robust pathogen capable of survival and even proliferation during cold storage, making its prevention profoundly challenging.
The Jarratt plant has had its share of concerns in the past. Government inspection reports over the last year have unearthed 69 incidents of ‘non-compliance’ at the Jarratt facility. These ranged from the discovery of mold and insects to liquids dripping from ceilings, along with the presence of meat and fat residues on walls, floors, as well as equipment.
In light of these incidents, the closure of the plant would have a significant impact on hundreds of its employees. Boar’s Head acknowledged and showed deep empathy towards this unfortunate outcome. The company stated, ‘We do not take lightly our responsibility as one of the area’s largest employers.’ Yet, the company believes the facility’s closure is the most sensible course of action given the circumstances.
Moving forward, Boar’s Head is dedicated to enhancing its food safety measures. The company announced the onboarding of a new chief food safety officer who will directly report to the company’s president. This initiative aims to ensure accountability and foster fresh ideas for heightened safety protocols.
Boar’s Head is also taking progressive steps in the form of introducing a safety council. This council will be comprised of independent experts who possess immense experience and knowledge in food safety. Two renowned individuals, Mindy Brashears, a former food safety chief at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Frank Yiannas, a former deputy commissioner for food policy at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be included in this council.
The company stated, ‘This is a dark moment in our company’s history, but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry.’
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict supervision and stringent hygiene protocols in food processing plants. It is a call to action for food suppliers everywhere to continuously strive to improve their safety standards.
Furthermore, this unfortunate event shines a spotlight on the need for transparent communication between consumers and food suppliers. In ensuring such transparency, companies can cultivate consumer trust, not merely in their products but their initiatives and actions towards citizen welfare.
The closing of the Jarratt plant and the termination of liverwurst production is a disruptive step, although necessary. This step not only holds Boar’s Head accountable but also sets a precedent of resolve and responsibility for the food industry.
Boar’s Head’s actions remind us of the unwavering commitment necessary to protect public health. Their decision to learn from this incident and apply these lessons industry-wide reflects their dedication and commitment towards bettering food safety standards and practices both in their company and the food industry at large.
Boar’s Head Shuts Virginia Plant Linked to Listeria Infections appeared first on Real News Now.
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