Recent USDA inspections reveal unsanitary conditions at multiple Boar’s Head facilities, raising serious food safety concerns.
New Castle: So, it turns out that government inspectors found some pretty nasty stuff at several Boar’s Head deli meat plants. We’re talking about unsanitary conditions, not just at the plant that got shut down last year after a listeria outbreak.
Reports show that plants in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, had issues like meat residue on equipment, mold, and even insects. Some of these problems have been going on for about six years! Just last May, an inspector noted “general filth” in the Indiana plant.
The USDA released these inspection records after some news organizations asked for them. It’s alarming to see that the issues at these plants mirror the violations found at the Jarratt, Virginia, facility, which was linked to that serious food poisoning outbreak.
Some of the specific problems included equipment covered in meat scraps, dried meat residue, and even unidentified slime. Yikes! Boar’s Head officials said these violations don’t meet their standards, but it’s hard to ignore the evidence.
They’ve been known for their high-quality deli meats and cheeses for years, but now they’re facing some serious scrutiny. Interestingly, a fourth plant in New Holland, Michigan, didn’t show these kinds of issues.
After the listeria outbreak that sickened over 60 people and led to 10 deaths, Boar’s Head had to recall millions of pounds of deli meat. Health officials found listeria in unopened packages of liverwurst, which led to a massive recall.
Consumer advocates are really worried about these findings. They think it’s reasonable for people to reconsider eating deli meats from Boar’s Head. The company needs to earn back consumer trust.
There are also lawsuits piling up against Boar’s Head related to the outbreak. One family is particularly upset; a man is suing after his mother died from eating their liverwurst. He believes the company needs to prioritize safety above all else.
Lawmakers are not happy either. They’ve criticized the USDA for not taking stronger action against Boar’s Head despite the repeated issues. The USDA inspector general is now looking into how the agency has handled this situation.
In a recent report, the USDA pointed out that poor sanitation practices contributed to the outbreak. They found product residue, condensation, and structural issues in the plants. The USDA is promising to step up their game with new measures to control listeria, including better testing and inspections.
Boar’s Head is even hiring a “food safety culture manager” to help improve their practices. It’s a tough time for them, and they’ve got a lot of work to do to regain trust.
