Boar’s Head closes Virginia facility due to listeria outbreak

Boar’s Head has announced an indefinite closure of its Jarratt, Virginia, deli meat plant following a major listeria outbreak. The outbreak has been linked to nine deaths and affected multiple people in 18 states.

The company has identified liverwurst production as the source of the contamination and has decided to permanently cease production. The plant closure affects about 500 employees who will receive severance packages and transfer offers, according to union representatives.

Christina Jewett, who monitors the Food and Drug Administration’s food safety efforts, and Teddy Rosenbluth, a health reporter who is currently a Times Fellowship program, continue to provide updates on this ongoing story.