The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says inadequate sanitation at a Boar’s Head plant in Virginia was one of the big factors that led to a deadly multistate listeria outbreak that killed 10 and sickened 61 over the summer.
The USDA released its findings on Friday on the July outbreak, which call for improved government oversight to prevent future outbreaks.
A month after the recall was initiated, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service released records showing 69 reports of “noncompliance” at Boars Head’s plant. The records included the discovery of mildew and mold, insects – both dead and alive, and other unsanitary conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared the outbreak over on November 21, 2024. In total, 19 states were impacted by the outbreak.
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