The nationwide listeria outbreak associated with Boar’s Head deli meats has resulted in five more deaths, raising the total number of fatalities to eight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Wednesday. Additionally, there have been 14 new cases of illness connected to the outbreak.
Documents obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal numerous violations at the Boar’s Head plant in Jarrett, Virginia. These include reports of mold, mildew, and insects throughout the facility.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) records show instances of insects near deli meats at the plant. In one case, over 980 pounds of ham were placed on hold for investigation after being found in a smokehouse hallway.
In June, records highlighted concerns about flies around pickle vats left in a room. The facility also had reports of various bugs, including ants on the walls, a beetle, and a cockroach.
Further issues included leaking or pooling water, with one puddle showing green algae growth and condensation dripping onto stored products. In total, the USDA identified 69 instances of noncompliance at the plant over the past year.
On Wednesday, Boar’s Head announced it has halted production at the Jarrett facility. The company stated it will not resume operations until it meets customer expectations and industry standards. A spokesperson said, “We are conducting an extensive investigation with top food safety experts to determine how our liverwurst was contaminated and to prevent future occurrences.”
This outbreak is now the largest listeriosis incident since the 2011 cantaloupe-related outbreak.
Boar’s Head, a 119-year-old family-owned business based in Sarasota, Florida, recalled seven million pounds of meat last month. This is a significant increase from the 200,000 pounds recalled in June when the outbreak was first reported.
