A major meat plant is reopening after a deadly outbreak—what shoppers should know
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If you’ve ever picked up packaged deli meats for a quick lunch or easy dinner, you may want to pay attention to this latest food safety development.
A Boar’s Head processing plant in Jarratt, Virginia—shut down last year after being tied to a deadly listeria outbreak—has been cleared to reopen.
The outbreak claimed 10 lives, hospitalized more than 60 people, and led to millions of pounds of recalled meat across the country.
Now, after extensive cleaning, retraining, and new oversight, federal inspectors are allowing the plant to resume operations.
The reopening raises questions for consumers about safety, trust, and what steps to take when buying deli meats in the future.
The July 2024 recall began with 200,000 pounds of meat but quickly expanded as the scope of contamination became clear.
In total, more than 7 million pounds of products—including liverwurst, ham, turkey, and beef salami—were pulled from shelves.
The outbreak, traced to listeria monocytogenes, became the deadliest foodborne incident in more than a decade.
Older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems were among the most at risk.
Tragically, victims like 85-year-old Holocaust survivor Gunter Morgenstein and others brought human stories to what might otherwise feel like just another headline.
Before its closure, the Jarratt plant racked up 69 health violations in a single year.
Inspectors documented mold, mildew, ants crawling on walls, and even reports of a rancid smell throughout the facility.
They also noted blood pooling on the floor and flies in and around vats of food products.
These conditions shocked consumers who had long trusted Boar’s Head as a premium brand.
Boar’s Head has spent the past year working with the USDA to bring the facility up to higher safety standards.
The company says it has deep-cleaned the plant, retrained staff, and introduced new protocols for monitoring and sanitation.
For at least 90 days, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will have inspectors on-site daily, with added listeria testing required.
A USDA spokesperson said the aim is to ensure the company “consistently and effectively implements its corrected food safety plans.”
Boar’s Head has emphasized its “unwavering commitment” to regaining consumer trust.
Food recalls and outbreaks often leave lasting doubts for shoppers.
While Boar’s Head products are returning to stores, experts recommend taking precautions, especially if you fall into a high-risk group.
Steps include:
Listeria infections affect around 1,600 Americans each year, with about 260 deaths, according to the CDC.
While outbreaks on this scale are unusual, they highlight how even trusted brands can experience serious failures.
The positive side is that incidents often drive stricter monitoring across the entire food industry.
As shoppers, staying informed, practicing safe handling, and advocating for transparency remain some of the best defenses.
Read next: Are you eating the riskiest foods in America? Here’s what you need to know—without panicking
Would you feel comfortable buying Boar’s Head products again after this recall? Have food safety scares ever changed your shopping habits? Share your experiences and tips in the comments—your story could help others make safer choices!
A Boar’s Head processing plant in Jarratt, Virginia—shut down last year after being tied to a deadly listeria outbreak—has been cleared to reopen.
The outbreak claimed 10 lives, hospitalized more than 60 people, and led to millions of pounds of recalled meat across the country.
Now, after extensive cleaning, retraining, and new oversight, federal inspectors are allowing the plant to resume operations.
The reopening raises questions for consumers about safety, trust, and what steps to take when buying deli meats in the future.
Federal inspectors have cleared a Virginia meat plant to reopen under stricter safety monitoring after last year’s deadly listeria outbreak. Image Source: YouTube / WTVR CBS 6.
A look back at the outbreak
The July 2024 recall began with 200,000 pounds of meat but quickly expanded as the scope of contamination became clear.
In total, more than 7 million pounds of products—including liverwurst, ham, turkey, and beef salami—were pulled from shelves.
The outbreak, traced to listeria monocytogenes, became the deadliest foodborne incident in more than a decade.
Older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems were among the most at risk.
Tragically, victims like 85-year-old Holocaust survivor Gunter Morgenstein and others brought human stories to what might otherwise feel like just another headline.
Also read: Shocking Truth Revealed: How and Where Listeria is Invading Your Food!
Troubling inspection findings
Before its closure, the Jarratt plant racked up 69 health violations in a single year.
Inspectors documented mold, mildew, ants crawling on walls, and even reports of a rancid smell throughout the facility.
They also noted blood pooling on the floor and flies in and around vats of food products.
These conditions shocked consumers who had long trusted Boar’s Head as a premium brand.
Also read: The shocking source of the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak that’s claiming lives
The road to reopening
Boar’s Head has spent the past year working with the USDA to bring the facility up to higher safety standards.
The company says it has deep-cleaned the plant, retrained staff, and introduced new protocols for monitoring and sanitation.
For at least 90 days, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will have inspectors on-site daily, with added listeria testing required.
A USDA spokesperson said the aim is to ensure the company “consistently and effectively implements its corrected food safety plans.”
Boar’s Head has emphasized its “unwavering commitment” to regaining consumer trust.
Also read: Check your fridge: This salad staple just got recalled for a serious safety risk
What this means for consumers
Food recalls and outbreaks often leave lasting doubts for shoppers.
While Boar’s Head products are returning to stores, experts recommend taking precautions, especially if you fall into a high-risk group.
Steps include:
- Staying updated on recalls through USDA and CDC alerts.
- Practicing careful food handling, including cleaning hands and utensils after touching deli meat.
- Heating meats before eating if you are older, pregnant, or immunocompromised.
- Asking questions at the grocery counter about sourcing and product safety.
Also read: Are your groceries putting you at risk? Nearly thousands die annually from this silent killer!
A wider view of food safety
Listeria infections affect around 1,600 Americans each year, with about 260 deaths, according to the CDC.
While outbreaks on this scale are unusual, they highlight how even trusted brands can experience serious failures.
The positive side is that incidents often drive stricter monitoring across the entire food industry.
As shoppers, staying informed, practicing safe handling, and advocating for transparency remain some of the best defenses.
Read next: Are you eating the riskiest foods in America? Here’s what you need to know—without panicking
Would you feel comfortable buying Boar’s Head products again after this recall? Have food safety scares ever changed your shopping habits? Share your experiences and tips in the comments—your story could help others make safer choices!
