A nationwide outbreak of listeria linked to pork meats has caused five more deaths — bringing the total to eight — and resulted in 14 new illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
Records released by the USDA to CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed dozens of violations linked to the company’s plant in Jarrett, Va. — including reports of mold, mildew and insects throughout the facility.
Some of the USDA records showed sightings of bugs in and around deli meats at the plant, including one case that prompted the agency to tag more than 980 pounds of bacon in a smoking aisle to be “held” for an investigation , according to CBS News. .
In June, another record set concerns about flies flying in and out of “pickle vats” left in a room.
Other parts of the facility were also found to have insects, including what appeared to be “ants traveling down the wall,” as well as a beetle and a cockroach, the newspaper reported.
The plant also had a number of problems with water leaking or pooling, including a pond that was found to have “a growth of green algae” inside and condensation that was found to be “dripping onto the product being held,” according to the report.
In total, there were 69 cases of “non-conformities” flagged by the agency last year at the plant, records show.
On Wednesday, Boar’s boss told The Post it has halted production at the plant “and will not restart until we are confident it meets the standards our customers expect and deserve.”
“We are conducting an extensive investigation in partnership with leading food safety experts to determine how our liverwurst produced at our Jarratt, Va., facility was adulterated and to prevent this from happening again,” a company spokesperson said. .
The outbreak is now the largest incident of listeriosis since the 2011 outbreak linked to melons.
Boar’s Head — a 119-year-old family business headquartered in Sarasota, Fla. — recalled seven million pounds of meat last month, up from 200,000 pounds it pulled from shelves in June after the outbreak was first reported.
In addition to the eight who have died, a total of 57 have been sickened in at least 13 states by the tainted meats – with all requiring hospitalisation.
“No words can fully express our condolences and the sincere and deep pain we feel for those who have suffered loss or endured illness,” the representative said.
The last five deaths occurred in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and two in South Carolina, according to the CDC.
“Consumers who were unaware of the recall may have eaten recalled products. People may also have a prolonged course of illness,” a South Carolina health department spokesman said in a statement following the new deaths.
The Maryland Department of Health had traced the outbreak to the Jarratt plant after testing an unopened package of liver.
The CDC reports that epidemiologic, laboratory, and tracer data show that deli meats, including Boar’s Head brand liver, are contaminated with listeria and cause illness.
Listeria is a resilient bacterium that can survive on surfaces, such as meat cutters, and in foods, even at refrigerated temperatures.
While refrigeration does not kill listeria, reheating foods to a high enough temperature before consumption can kill the bacteria.
Symptoms of listeriosis, which include fever, chills and headache, can take up to ten weeks to appear in some individuals.
The health agency strongly advises against consuming recalled deli meat and urges consumers to check for any remaining recalled products, as they may have a long shelf life.
Some of the products are sold by dates that extend into October 2024, he added.
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