The site of a deadly listeriosis outbreak has been reported to have had “inadequate sanitation practices,” according to a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) report. The Boar’s Head deli meat plant review said the sanitary conditions were “a notable contributing factor” in the outbreak from the Jarratt, Vir., facility, blamed in 10 deaths.
Between May and November 2024, liverwurst produced at the Boar’s Head facility resulted in a large outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) illnesses. FSIS worked closely with public health partners to investigate and identify the source of the outbreak in July 2024 before notifying the public and removing all potentially contaminated product, the report said.
FSIS then completed a thorough review of the outbreak. Key findings include:
- Product Residue: Inspectors identified the presence of meat and fat residue from the previous day’s production on equipment, including packaging equipment and in the RTE processing area during preoperational sanitation checks. Residue can provide a substrate for Lm to survive and grow in the food processing environment and form biofilms, which can become more resistant to cleaning regimens. Biofilms are thin layers of bacteria that can form on equipment and other surfaces (similar to plaque on teeth). Once biofilms form, they must be removed by scrubbing or other mechanical action.
- Condensation: Inspectors identified multiple instances of condensation in the RTE environment (e.g., dripping condensate on exposed product and a fan blowing condensate directly on products).
- Structural and Facility Problems: Inspectors observed facility and structural-related issues (e.g., cracks, holes and broken flooring) that could hold moisture and contribute to wet conditions. Additional conditions documented included rust, beaded condensation and
peeling caulk.
“Lm continues to be a pernicious pathogen and the cause of illness outbreaks and recalls despite continued efforts to mitigate its presence. Protecting the public from Lm and mitigating this public health challenge remains a top priority for FSIS,” the agency said.
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