Troublesome Boar's Head Factory Set for Revival a Year Coming After Listeria Crisis Implicated in Fatalities of 10
Boar's Head Foods, a privately held company generating billions of dollars in annual revenue, is preparing to reopen its Jarratt plant in Virginia. The plant was shut down following a deadly listeria outbreak in 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 10 people and sickened dozens [1].
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) lifted the suspension on the Jarratt plant's ability to operate on July 18, 2025, after thorough reviews confirmed that the serious issues leading to the suspension had been fully rectified, and the facility is now in compliance with food safety guidelines [2][3].
However, recent inspections by the Associated Press have revealed persistent sanitation problems at other Boar's Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, and Virginia. These issues are similar to those that contributed to the listeria contamination in Jarratt [2][3].
Boar's Head has taken steps to enhance its food safety practices, including hiring a chief food safety officer and establishing a panel of food safety experts [3]. The company emphasizes its commitment to food safety and quality through these measures. Nevertheless, concerns about sanitation remain, and the company's approach to addressing these ongoing issues is under scrutiny [4].
The USDA has not yet responded to questions about the reopening of the Jarratt plant on Friday afternoon [1]. Gizmodo will update the article if they hear back from the USDA regarding the plant's reopening.
The Boar's Head plants with sanitation issues are located in Forrest City, Arkansas; New Castle, Indiana; and Petersburg, Virginia [2]. The company's spokesperson mentioned that Boar's Head is working with the USDA in developing a plan to reopen the Jarratt plant in a measured, deliberate way in the coming months [3].
In response to the 2024 listeria outbreak, Boar's Head announced it would create a "Boar's Head Food Safety Council" comprised of independent industry-leading food safety experts [1]. For more information about Boar's Head's food safety enhancements, visit https://boarshead.com/food-safety [3].
[1] Associated Press. (2025, July 18). USDA lifts suspension on Boar's Head plant. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/business-health-virginia-food-industry-listeria-food-safety-2e76a506342b24b3e976c4b276a383a9
[2] Associated Press. (2025, July 20). Boar's Head plants have similar sanitation problems. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/business-health-food-industry-listeria-food-safety-2e76a506342b24b3e976c4b276a383a9
[3] Boar's Head. (n.d.). Food Safety. Retrieved from https://boarshead.com/food-safety
[4] Associated Press. (2025, July 23). Boar's Head plants with sanitation issues. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/business-health-food-industry-listeria-food-safety-2e76a506342b24b3e976c4b276a383a9
- Despite the USDA's decision to lift the suspension on the Jarratt plant, recent inspections by the Associated Press have uncovered persistent sanitation problems at Boar's Head plants in Forrest City, Arkansas; New Castle, Indiana; and Petersburg, Virginia.
- Boar's Head Foods, known for its presence in tech and lifestyle sectors, has taken important steps to enhance its food safety practices following the 2024 listeria outbreak.
- The company has set up a "Boar's Head Food Safety Council," comprising of renowned food safety experts from the technology and science fields, to address ongoing issues related to medical-conditions and health-and-wellness.
- In the future, business strategy and finance will play a significant role in Boar's Head's approach to food safety as they work to reopen the Jarratt plant in a regulated manner, ensuring compliance with food safety guidelines.
- Food-and-drink industry news outlets like Gizmodo have been closely following the Boar's Head saga and will continue to report updates on the company's reopening plans, as announced by the USDA.
- The general public's trust in Boar's Head may be impacted due to concerns about sanitation and food safety, and the company will need to effectively address these concerns to maintain its reputation and sales in the tech, lifestyle, and health-and-wellness sectors.
