Congressional Scrutiny Mounts Over Boar's Head Plants Amid Repeated Sanitation Failures

Repeat Creepy Meat Problems at Boar's Head Plants Draw Congressional Scrutiny A recent inspection of three Boar's Head deli meat plants revealed alarming sanitation problems, including mold, condensation on ceilings, and employees failing to wash their hands. This comes as a congressional letter raises concerns about the company's ability to reopen its Jarratt, Virginia facility, which was linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak last year. According to a September 15 letter signed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and nine other Congress members, reports indicate that Boar's Head plans to reopen the Jarratt plant in the coming months. The lawmakers expressed skepticism about the company's ability to ensure safe food production given the recent inspection findings. "We are deeply concerned that these issues have not been adequately addressed," said Rep. DeLauro. "The safety of consumers must be our top priority, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely." Inspectors with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found dozens of sanitation violations at the Jarratt plant during the Listeria outbreak last year, including meat residue caked onto equipment and walls. The outbreak spanned May to September 2022, sickening at least 61 people across 19 states, with 60 hospitalized and 10 dying. Boar's Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of meat in response to the outbreak. In a statement, the company acknowledged the recent inspection findings but emphasized its commitment to food safety. "We take these issues seriously and are working closely with regulatory agencies to address them," said a Boar's Head spokesperson. "We believe our facilities are safe for production and will continue to operate under strict guidelines." The congressional letter highlights concerns about the potential impact on public health if the Jarratt plant reopens without adequate measures in place. "The safety of consumers is paramount, and we cannot afford to have another outbreak like this one," said Rep. DeLauro. "We urge Boar's Head to take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that their facilities are safe for production." The USDA has not yet announced any plans to revoke the Jarratt plant's operating license or impose additional penalties on the company. As the situation unfolds, lawmakers will continue to monitor developments closely, with Rep. DeLauro vowing to "hold Boar's Head accountable" for ensuring food safety. Background Boar's Head has faced criticism in recent years over its handling of sanitation and food safety issues. In 2020, the company recalled nearly 1 million pounds of meat due to concerns about Listeria contamination. The Jarratt plant was also linked to a Salmonella outbreak in 2019. Additional Perspectives Food safety experts say that the recent inspection findings are alarming and highlight the need for stricter regulations on food production facilities. "The fact that these issues have not been adequately addressed is a clear indication of systemic problems within Boar's Head," said Dr. Sarah Jones, a food safety expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "We need to see more stringent measures in place to prevent outbreaks like this one." Boar's Head has faced criticism from consumer advocacy groups over its handling of the Listeria outbreak and subsequent recalls. "The company's response to these issues has been woefully inadequate," said a spokesperson for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "We urge lawmakers to take action to hold Boar's Head accountable for ensuring food safety." Current Status The USDA has not yet announced any plans to revoke the Jarratt plant's operating license or impose additional penalties on the company. Lawmakers will continue to monitor developments closely, with Rep. DeLauro vowing to "hold Boar's Head accountable" for ensuring food safety. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Boar's Head will be able to reopen its Jarratt facility without addressing the sanitation issues that have raised concerns among lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*