A listeria outbreak that has already claimed the lives of nine people and hospitalized 57 across 18 states is raising alarm nationwide. The outbreak, first reported in July 2024, has been traced to deli meats produced at a Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, where unsanitary conditions were discovered by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called this the largest listeriosis outbreak in over a decade.
Health officials are urging consumers to take immediate precautions. Those who have purchased Boar’s Head deli meats, particularly liverwurst and other sliced products, are advised to check the product labels for the establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers should discard any recalled meats or return them to stores for a refund.
Boar’s Head products, particularly those sliced at deli counters, are at the center of the outbreak. According to epidemiological and laboratory data, the bacterium responsible for the outbreak, Listeria monocytogenes, was found in samples of Boar’s Head liverwurst and other meats distributed from the Jarratt plant. The CDC has confirmed genetic sequencing linked the bacteria to the specific strain driving the outbreak.
This outbreak is particularly concerning because of listeria’s ability to survive even in refrigerated environments, making it difficult to control without proper sanitation measures.
Inspections at the Jarratt plant revealed a pattern of health and safety violations, flagging multiple issues. Mold was found near handwashing stations, in holding coolers and around equipment used to prepare ready-to-eat deli meats. Condensation dripped onto uncovered products and flies were observed near vats of pickling brine. In total, the plant accumulated 69 non-compliance records over the last year, including findings of blood in puddles and rancid smells emanating from coolers.
These conditions led to the recall of all Boar’s Head deli meats produced at the plant between June and July 2024. The company pulled over 7 million pounds of deli products from store shelves, adding more items to its recall list as the outbreak expanded. Despite these measures, the outbreak has continued to grow, prompting public health warnings for consumers to discard or return any affected meats.
The CDC has noted that the groups most at risk from listeria infections include older adults, pregnant women, newborns and those with weakened immune systems. Listeria infections can be life-threatening, causing symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, confusion and loss of balance. In pregnant women, listeria poses an even greater risk, potentially leading to miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. It can take up to 10 weeks for symptoms to appear after consuming contaminated products, making it difficult to immediately track the full extent of the outbreak.
The CDC has warned consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled deli meats and to clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with these products. The CDC has also advised individuals at higher risk to avoid eating any deli meats unless reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill the bacteria.
In a statement, the company affirmed that food safety is its “absolute priority” and vowed to improve sanitation at its Jarratt facility. The company also stated that it had partnered with food safety experts to conduct a thorough investigation into the outbreak.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has suspended operations at the Jarratt plant until the company can demonstrate that it is able to produce safe products. Despite the numerous violations, the USDA has not yet announced any penalties against Boar’s Head. The FSIS has confirmed that it is working with the state of Virginia to ensure that the plant complies with food safety regulations moving forward.
