Boar's Head Plant Reopens Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns

The Boar's Head deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, is set to reopen after the USDA lifted its suspension, declaring the facility in full compliance with food safety protocols, following a deadly listeria outbreak that began in July 2024 and resulted in 10 deaths and dozens of illnesses. The outbreak led to the recall of over 7 million pounds of deli products and prompted Boar's Head to permanently discontinue liverwurst production at the Jarratt site. Recent federal inspection documents reveal that similar sanitation issues, such as meat residue on equipment and inadequate hygiene, continue at other Boar's Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, and elsewhere in Virginia, with the latest violations reported in June 2025. Despite assurances that the Jarratt facility's problems have been resolved, consumer advocacy groups and inspectors remain concerned about persistent, company-wide food safety lapses. These ongoing issues have intensified scrutiny of both Boar's Head and the USDA's oversight practices. Efforts to restore public trust and improve safety standards across the industry are ongoing.