Inspectors found dozens of violations including mold, mildew and insects at a Boars head plant in Virginia which is now linked to a nationwide deli meat recall.
A deadly food poisoning outbreak is centered on a deli meat factory near Jarratt, Virginia. Here's what to know about the illnesses and the facility:
What happened?
Boar's Head officials in late July halted production at its meat processing plant on Wyatts Mill Road in Greensville County. The move came after a Boar's Head liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria.
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Nine deaths in South Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee and New York have been tied to the food poisoning, and at least 57 people in 18 states have been sickened, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The case is under investigation.
Government inspectors logged 69 instances of "noncompliance" with federal rules in the past year, records show. Among the findings were "heavy discolored meat buildup" and "meat overspray on walls and large pieces of meat on the floor."
What's the history of the factory?
Boar's Head has operated the 136-acre factory since July 1983. In October 1985, the Greensville County Board of Supervisors approved $10.7 million in industrial revenue bonds to expand operations.
In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sued Boar's Head for $58,000 because it said the company failed to report the storage of hazardous chemicals at the plant.
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Boar's Head bought the former Diversity Foods Processing plant in Petersburg's Interstate Industrial Park for $10 million in January 2000.
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The Greensville County property is valued at $8.8 million, records show.
The deli meat factory is west of Jarratt, about 55 miles south of Richmond off Interstate 95.
Jarratt is closely associated with the Greensville Correctional Center near the town. The prison housed Virginia's execution chamber until capital punishment ended in 2021.
What else does Boar's Head produce?
Boar's Head Provision Co. was founded in 1905 in Brooklyn, New York. The privately held company is now based in Sarasota, Florida, and has about 500 products and operations in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, California and other states.
How common are infections?
Listeria infections cause about 1,600 illnesses each year nationally and about 260 people die, according to the CDC. Those 65 and older, who are pregnant or who have weakened immune systems are most vulnerable.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. More serious illness can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
What can consumers do?
The products were distributed to stores nationwide and have been removed from shelves.
CDC officials said consumers should check their refrigerators for the recalled products. Look for EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
What's happening at the plant?
The company said all operations have been paused.
"During this time, we have partnered with the industry's leading global food safety experts to conduct a rigorous investigation to get to the bottom of the events leading to this recall. We are also taking this time to conduct deep disinfection, enhance policies and procedures where needed, and provide additional training to employees," Boar's Head said.
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