Deli factory of Boar's Head brands prepares to resume operations in Virginia, while questions linger regarding hygiene at other facilities
Boar's Head, a well-known deli meat producer, has been under scrutiny due to persistent sanitation issues at several of its plants. The USDA has reported sanitation problems at the company's facilities in Forrest City, Arkansas; New Castle, Indiana; and Petersburg, Virginia, in the past seven months. These issues are of concern because they resemble the conditions linked to a fatal listeria contamination at one of their facilities last year.
Inspections at these plants have revealed inadequate sanitation practices, with reports of dried fat and protein from the previous day's production on equipment, stairs, and walls. Other reports detailed beaded condensation directly over the food contact surfaces of tables and conveyor belts.
The Jarratt, Virginia, plant, which was shut down due to a forced suspension by the USDA for failing to maintain sanitary conditions, is set to reopen in the coming months. However, recent inspections have documented mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors, and equipment at the Jarratt plant.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro called the findings "appalling" and a "pattern of negligence." Outside food safety advocates, including Brian Ronholm of Consumer Reports, have expressed surprise and concern about the continued sanitation issues. Barbara Kowalcyk, who directs a food safety and nutrition security center at George Washington University, stated that there is an organizational culture issue that needs to be changed.
Boar's Head has refused to discuss the problems found this year and canceled a scheduled interview with the Associated Press. The company, however, has taken steps to address the issues, hiring a chief food safety officer and convening a panel of expert advisers, including Frank Yiannas, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration official, and Mindy Brashears, President Donald Trump's nominee for USDA's undersecretary for food safety.
Boar's Head has also posted job openings for two dozen positions at the Jarratt site, including a food safety quality analyst. The company has stated that they regret the contamination and have implemented comprehensive measures to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Given these ongoing issues, consumers, especially older people, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems, are advised to think carefully about deli meat consumption. The USDA lifted the forced suspension on the Jarratt plant on July 18, 2025, stating that the facility is now in full compliance with food safety guidelines. However, no further detailed updates on corrective actions or the current operational status of these plants were provided in the available information.
- The ongoing sanitation issues at Boar's Head's plants, particularly the reopening Jarratt facility, raise concerns about the safety of consuming deli meat, especially for older people, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems, as they are more susceptible to medical-conditions and chronic-diseases that can be exacerbated by listeria contamination.
- In light of the persistent sanitation problems found at Boar's Head's facilities, such as mold, insects, and dried protein residue, it is crucial for the company to focus on health-and-wellness by implementing comprehensive measures to ensure optimal food safety practices and to address the organizational culture issues identified by experts.
