Boar's Head plant posed an 'imminent threat' years before listeria outbreak

[iemanja]

Inspectors warned that a Boar’s Head plant in southern Virginia had “major deficiencies” that could pose an “imminent threat” to food safety after discovering rusted equipment, condensation dripping on the floor and green mold on the wall nearly two years before a deadly nationwide listeria outbreak, according to government inspection reports released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But despite repeated violations, the plant continued to operate until July.

“The establishment failed to meet the regulatory requirements,” according to a noncompliance report, noting that plant management was “notified to take the necessary corrective actions.”

Between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 2022, inspectors detailed food residue on the floor of the liverwurst room, live beetles in a hallway and thick product buildup on equipment, among other violations. “Dirt, screws and trash were observed on the floor of the production area,” the document said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/09/10/boars-head-listeria-outbreak-inspection/

As someone who thought Boar's Head was good quality meat, this makes me ill.

[iemanja]

1. More

Deli meat produced at the Jarratt, Va., plant between May 10 and July 29 is believed to be responsible for the deaths of nine people and the hospitalization of dozens of others in the nation’s largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011. Boar’s Head issued a recall of more than 70 products produced during that time, such as ham, bologna and bacon, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Food safety experts say the pattern of violations reflect a failed food safety system and have questioned why the plant was not closed sooner.

[haele]

5. The scary/sad issue I see is that Boar's Head targetedd itself as a premium deli meat

In the restaurant market. Millions of small delis and restaurants around the northern hemisphere proclaimed they were using Boats Head meats, and the company just treated their "premium" status as a cheap gimmick instead of respecting the quality that product originally carried.

It's Sinclair's "The Jungle" all over again.

I understand the corporate mindset, but this is just lazy corporate almost-fraud. Killing off customers for a second quarter profit margin is foolishly dangerous.

Haele

[Lonestarblue]

2. Why do inspectors who see such dangerous conditions not have the power to shut such a plant down.

That would give far more incentive to fix the issues quickly so they could start operating again. I have sworn off all Boar’s Head products. Their CEO and managers obviously value profits over product safety.

[iemanja]

3. Me too

It's so much worse than I realized.

[LastDemocratInSC]

4. I think the brand is now doomed.

[harumph]

7. I stopped buying "Blue Bell" ice cream after their listeria problems.

Never went back.

[LastDemocratInSC]

10. Listeria contamination should be a one strike and you're out game.

[harumph]

6. The threat was deemed "imminent threat" and the inspectors did have the authority to shutter the plant.

Makes me (suspect) that there might be some $ under the table. At least that possibility needs to be
explored. The whole situation is not credible. So much corruption - everywhere.

[Stargazer99]

9. Right on! It is time to quit worshiping business and expect responsibility from them

And if not shut them down immediately and you will see improvement. The cause was probably profit was increased by not using money to make sure the food was safe before it went out the door. It is time to quit treating business like a god and start expecting responsibility from them. It crap like this that makes me think capitalism is not the best system as it will do anything to increase profits even if it kills people.

[onethatcares]

8. It's Publix premium brand at their deli

and used as the step up from the store brand in their sandwiches. I wonder if they disbanded the clean up crews in order to get a better share for the investors.

[LeftInTX]

11. I also thought Boar's head was good. It is also expensive. They did not invest their profits wisely.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. But, But, Regulation Is Bad Because..

...something something about businesses always doing the right thing.
Yeah, regulation is bad until lack of it starts making people sick.
Then, those same drones want to know why the government didn't do more!

[Stargazer99]

13. The people are too brain washed to think logically about the problem-well trained

so this goes on and on by many businesses