Following the recall of seven million pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat by Boar’s Head Provisions Inc. arising from an extensive outbreak of listeriosis, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) addressed a letter to the company requesting specific information on current and intended action to reduce contamination. The response through the law firm Hogan Lovells was less than satisfactory resulting in an expression of disapproval and characterized as a “corporate dodge”.
Representative DeLauro, who is experienced in food safety and epidemiology, requested specific information on how the company will comply with food safety standards in the future. The company, through its legal representative, failed to respond to questions on past food safety programs and the egregious deficiencies identified by food inspectors of the state of Virginia and USDA Food Safety Inspection Services. There was no response as to accountability among management of the Jarratt, VA. plant or the corporate staff responsible for food safety.
USDA documented numerous instances of noncompliance following inspection of the Jarratt plant between August 2023 and 2024. USDA recorded an extensive history of violations during 2022 in the Virginia plant that has since has been closed.
In a classic example of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, Boars Head appointed a Food Safety Council and launched a self-serving website in an attempt to restore consumer confidence. Boar’s Head recently settled with the estate of one of the ten fatalities, with the prospect of additional lawsuits from among the 60 or more victims of listeriosis traced back to the Jarratt VA, plant.