USDA Found Insects, ‘Unidentified Slime’ at Boar’s Head Plants

Newly Released Reports Reveal Unsanitary Conditions at Multiple Facilities

Government inspectors documented unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head deli meat plants, not just the factory that was shut down last year after a deadly outbreak of listeria poisoning, federal records show.

Multiple Issues Found at Multiple Plants

Newly released reports from Boar’s Head plants in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, described multiple instances of meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls, dripping condensation falling on food, mold, insects, and other problems dating back roughly six years. Last May, one inspector documented “general filth” in a room at the Indiana plant.

USDA Inspection Reports Reveal Unacceptable Conditions

• Equipment “covered in meat scraps” in 2019.
• “Dry crusted meat from the previous day’s production” and “dark, stinky residue” left behind in 2020.
• A doorway covered in “dried meat juices and grime” in 2021.
• Green mold and flaking paint in 2022.
• “Unidentified slime” and “an abundance of insects” in 2023.
• A puddle of “blood, debris, and trash” in 2024.

Boar’s Head Response

Boar’s Head officials said in an email Monday that the violations documented in the three factories “do not meet our high standards.” The company’s remaining plants continue to operate under normal USDA oversight, they added. The Sarasota, Florida-based company has marketed itself for decades as a premier provider of deli meats and cheeses, advertising “excellence that stands apart in every bite.”

Variations in Inspection Reports

Records from a fourth Boar’s Head plant in New Holland, Michigan, do not show similar problems.

Consequences of the Listeria Outbreak

Boar’s Head stopped making liverwurst and shuttered its Jarratt, Virginia, plant in September after listeria poisoning tied to the product sickened more than 60 people in 19 states, including 10 who died.

Consumer Reaction

The conditions revealed at the other Boar’s Head plants are “really concerning,” said Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group.

“It’s reasonable for some people to decide they don’t want to eat deli meat,” he said. “Companies like Boar’s Head, they should have to earn consumers’ trust.”

Legal Action

Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits connected to the outbreak.

Personal Story of Loss

“This makes me extremely angry and sad,” said Garett Dorman, whose mother, Linda Dorman, 73, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, died in July after eating Boar’s Head liverwurst. She had cancer, and liverwurst was one of the few foods she would eat, he said. He is suing the company, according to court documents filed by Marler Clark, a Seattle law firm.

Further Action

Lawmakers including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Rosa DeLauro have sharply criticized USDA officials for not taking stronger action against the company, despite documentation of repeated problems. The USDA inspector general is reviewing the agency’s handling of the situation. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether criminal charges are warranted.

USDA’s Response

USDA officials have promised new measures to control listeria in plants that make ready-to-eat foods, including broader testing, updated training, and tools, increased inspections, more food safety reviews, and stronger oversight of state inspectors who act on behalf of the agency.

Conclusion

The conditions revealed at Boar’s Head plants are a cause for concern, and it is crucial for the company to take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure the safety of its products.

FAQs

• What were the issues found at Boar’s Head plants?
• Meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls, dripping condensation falling on food, mold, insects, and other problems.
• What is the response from Boar’s Head?
• The company says the issues do not meet its high standards and that its remaining plants continue to operate under normal USDA oversight.
• What is the outcome of the listeria outbreak?
• The outbreak led to the shutdown of a Boar’s Head plant and the recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat and poultry.
• What is the current status of the investigation?
• The USDA inspector general is reviewing the agency’s handling of the situation, and the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether criminal charges are warranted.
• What is the response from the USDA?
• The agency has promised new measures to control listeria in plants that make ready-to-eat foods, including broader testing, updated training, and tools, increased inspections, more food safety reviews, and stronger oversight of state inspectors.