Three Boar's Head deli plants have been cited for poor sanitation, including insects, mold and “unidentified slime,” according to newly released federal records. New findings suggest that sanitation issues are not limited to the company's factories. closure Following last year Deadly listeria outbreak.
The inspection records, released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from The Associated Press and other news organizations, appear similar to some of the problems discovered at the Jarrett, Virginia, plant where at least 10 people died after being exposed to Boar's Head products. Closed for listeria contamination.
The plants – located in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia – were cited by the USDA for problems including mold, “unknown slime” and “large numbers of insects” on ceilings, floors and walls. Documents show that USDA inspectors cited problems at the three plants dating back to 2019.
Boar's Head did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment. The company told The Associated Press that the violations at the three plants “do not meet our high standards.” Boar's Head added that the company's remaining plants continue to operate under normal USDA supervision.
Other issues at the three plants include:
- Green “Mold or Algae”
- “Dried meat residue” on various surfaces
- “Drip condensation” falls on food and other surfaces
- Peeling, flaking, and rusting paint
Inspection records at a fourth plant in New Holland, Michigan, did not show similar sanitation issues.
Thomas Gremillion, director of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit advocacy group, said the newly released records are “really concerning.”
“Some people decide they don't want to eat deli meat, and that's reasonable,” he said. “Companies like Boar's Head deserve to earn the trust of consumers.”
Inspectors found evidence at Boar's Head's now-shuttered plant in Jarrett, Virginia Dozens of violationsincluding leftover meat on equipment, mold and mildew buildup, insects in and around deli meat, and blood stains on the factory floor.
In a report released Jan. 10 on last year's listeria outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited “inadequate sanitation measures” at the Jarrett plant as a contributing factor. Other issues include structural issues at the plant, such as cracks, holes and damaged floors, which can retain moisture and lead to damp conditions, as well as rust, flaking caulk and other issues with the building.
contributed to this report.
