Boar's Head Plans to Reopen Virginia Deli Meat Plant Shuttered by Health Inspections

Boar's Head, the deli meat company at the center of a deadly food poisoning outbreak last year, is set to reopen its Virginia plant after a year-long shutdown. The facility, located in Jarratt, was closed in September 2024 when U.S. Agriculture Department officials suspended operations due to severe sanitation violations. These violations included leftover meat on equipment, mold and mildew buildup, insects in and around deli meats, and puddles of blood on the plant's floor.

USDA officials have now lifted the forced suspension, stating that the facility is in full compliance with food safety guidelines and that the serious issues leading to the shutdown have been fully rectified. However, recent inspection reports reveal that similar sanitation problems persist at other Boar's Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, and Virginia. These findings raise serious concerns about the company's commitment to food safety and the effectiveness of federal oversight.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press through a freedom of information request show that Boar's Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, and Virginia were flagged for the same kinds of sanitation problems that led to the deadly listeria outbreak. The most recent reports, from June 2025, include meat and fat residue on equipment and walls, blocked drains, beaded condensation on ceilings and floors, overflowing trash cans, and staff not wearing protective gear or washing their hands.

Food safety advocates have expressed alarm over these findings, noting that factory conditions should have improved in the year since the outbreak was first identified. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, said,