USDA Finds Insects and Filth at Boar’s Head Plants, Records Reveal

New Castle: The USDA has reported some pretty shocking findings at Boar’s Head deli meat plants. They found unsanitary conditions, not just at the plant that was shut down last year due to a listeria outbreak, but at several others too.

The inspections revealed issues like meat residue on equipment, mold, and even insects. These problems have been going on for about six years. In one instance, an inspector noted “general filth” in a room at the Indiana plant just last May.

The USDA released these records after requests from news organizations. The findings at the New Castle, Forrest City, and Petersburg plants echo the violations seen at the Jarratt, Virginia plant, which was linked to the food poisoning outbreak. Reports showed equipment covered in meat scraps and even unidentified slime.

Boar’s Head officials said these violations don’t meet their standards. They claim their other plants are operating normally under USDA oversight. The company has built a reputation for quality deli meats, but these findings are raising eyebrows.

After the listeria outbreak, which sickened over 60 people and resulted in 10 deaths, Boar’s Head stopped making liverwurst and closed the Jarratt plant. The contamination was first found in unopened liverwurst packages, leading to a massive recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat.

Consumer advocates are worried about these conditions. They believe it’s reasonable for people to reconsider eating deli meats from companies like Boar’s Head. The company is facing lawsuits related to the outbreak, and one family is particularly upset after losing a loved one due to the contaminated product.

Lawmakers are also stepping in, criticizing the USDA for not taking stronger action against Boar’s Head. The USDA’s inspector general is looking into how the agency has handled the situation, and the Department of Justice is considering whether to pursue criminal charges.

The USDA has acknowledged that poor sanitation practices contributed to the outbreak. They’re promising new measures to improve food safety, including better testing and inspections. Boar’s Head is even hiring a food safety culture manager to help address these issues. It’s a tough situation, and many are hoping for real changes to ensure food safety moving forward.