McClellan Demands Answers On Recent Listeria Outbreak at Boar’s Head Facility

Richmond, VA – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) sent a letter to Larry Helfant, Chief Operating Officer of Boar’s Head, and Jeff Szymanski, Plant Manager of the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, regarding the recent listeria outbreak. 

In July, Boar’s Head recalled all of the products from its plant in Jarratt, Virginia, after listeria contamination was found at the facility. To date, nine people have died and 57 others have been hospitalized in 18 states across the nation. Noncompliance records from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have shown repeated violations and hazardous health conditions at the facility. 

“I am particularly concerned that this outbreak follows a pattern of unacceptable conditions at the Jarratt facility. Noncompliance records issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service show a history of workplace hazards and food safety issues,” wrote Congresswoman McClellan. “These violations include meat residue and debris on food contact surfaces, clogged drains and standing water, blood on the floor, and black mold.” 

McClellan requested answers to the following questions: 

1. When did management first become aware of the listeria risk at the Jarratt facility? Why was action not taken earlier to prevent a widespread outbreak?
    
2. What processes were in place to control the risk of food contamination by listeria and other pathogens at the Jarratt facility?
    
3. After the failures that resulted in this devastating outbreak, what additional safeguards will be implemented moving forward?
    
4. Why did many of the violations cited in FSIS noncompliance records continue to occur repeatedly over several months? Why were permanent corrective measures not taken?
    
5. In the months leading up to the listeria outbreak, were FSIS inspectors present at the Jarratt facility at least once per each 8-hour shift, as required by federal food safety regulations?
    
6. Since listeria infections can take up to 10 weeks to become apparent, what steps will Boar’s Head take to ensure the public is aware of the ongoing risk?

McClellan and her staff have also requested additional information from USDA regarding the progress of the investigation and next steps. McClellan will continue to monitor the situation, coordinate with USDA as needed, and explore additional oversight options to ensure proper corrective actions are taken to prevent future outbreaks. 

Read McClellan’s full letter to Boar’s Head officials here.