EGG-NEWS and CHICK-NEWS have documented obvious operational and hygiene problems in the Boar’s Head, Jarratt, VA. plant producing liverwurst and possibly other products that have contributed to a major outbreak of listeriosis claiming ten fatalities and hospitalizing over 60 patients.

The inaction of USDA-FSIS in failing to respond to obvious deficiencies in the structure and operation of the plant over an extended period will be the subject of Congressional investigation. Legislators are questioning as to how many other Jarratts are in operation, overlooked by USDA-FSIS. The Department of Justice will become involved to determine whether criminal indictments are justified. At this time public release of documentation in the possession of Federal agencies has ceased due to ongoing criminal investigations.  

Recently, an industry publication reported on the revelations of Terrence Boyce who it is claimed  worked at the Boar’s Head Jarratt plant for seven months commencing in January 2023. According to Boyce, the Company fell short of industry standards with respect to cleaning and decontamination, previously and subsequently verified by USDA.  Boyce claims that there were apparently no responsible managers with either training or authority to ensure that hygienic standards were maintained and who allegedly knowingly condoned inadequate decontamination procedures. Boyce although not a ‘whistleblower’ in the legal sense maintains that he was terminated for advocating effective procedures that were contrary to the dictates of plant management. Given that Boyce has displayed a somewhat limited history of tenure at previous positions in industry his assertions and complaints should be under oath and verified.

It is evident that investigators will review the testimony of workers and will subpoena managers in the extreme probability of a criminal prosecution.  At the very least, Boar’s Head will face a number of civil actions with the process of discovery disclosing the absence or otherwise of acceptable standard operating procedures and deviations from industry sanitation practices.

Of significance will be whether the Company conducted routine microbiological examinations of the plant environment, equipment and products.  The results of assays for Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli or other pathogens, if conducted, will be informative and whether there was concealment of positive results. Documentation should also be available detailing action in the event of any isolation of bacteria of human health significance.

Boar’s Head will be facing a formidable plaintiff’s attorney in the form of William Marler and his team.  Given that the outcome of the cases involving the Blue Bell Creamery and the Peanut Corporation of America, not only is the survival of the company and its brand in question but also the future liberty of senior management of the family-owned enterprise.