Following Listeria Outbreak, Boar’s Head Discontinues Its Liverwurst Permanently
The company cited a ‘specific production process’ used to make the deli meat as the source of the outbreak.
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The fallout from the deadly listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat continues.
The outbreak killed nine people across several states, hospitalized 57 others and, in late July, prompted the company to recall its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst due to concern that it contained the potentially deadly bacterium.
On Friday, Boar’s Head announced that, following an “in-depth review and analysis” of its procedures conducted in partnership with the USDA and food safety experts, it had determined that contaminated liverwurst was the source of the outbreak.
The company said in a statement posted online that it had traced the issue to a “specific production process” used only at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant product where liverwurst is made.
As a result, the company said it was permanently discontinuing liverwurst and indefinitely shuttering the Jarratt facility.
A letter delivered to Boar’s Head in July by the Food Safety and Inspection Service said the facility had failed to comply with standards and regulations and to “maintain sanitary conditions.” Boar’s Head shared the letter online, citing a pursuit of “complete transparency.”
“We understand the gravity of this situation and the profound impact it has had on affected families,” the company said. “Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.”
In addition to the product discontinuation and the closure of the plant, Boar’s Head said it was also appointing a new chief food safety and quality assurance officer who would report to the company’s president, establishing a food safety council to spearhead an improved quality and assurance program, and initiating a program to enhance food safety standards throughout the supply chain.
“This is a dark moment in our company’s history,” Boar’s Head said, “but we intend to use this as an opportunity to enhance food safety programs not just for our company, but for the entire industry.”
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