What is up with Boar's Head?

I learned yesterday and more again today about the huge recall with Boar's Head. This was very disturbing, my dad told me to use Boar's Head Deli meats and products years ago. I have never been a deli meat person, since learning that pressed meats were one of the first foods discouraged if one has certain health issues. I buy Boar's Head cheeses, and thinly sliced dill pickles. I've had a few meats from the deli when making sandwiches for family visits. The description of the findings at one of their facilities was horrible...insects, dead bugs, listeria, and more. There is no excuse for that. What say you?

Alas, insects and rat droppings are commonplace in the food supply. There even exist Federal standards for how much is acceptable. (I experienced dismay many years ago when I first read about it, too.)

Listeria, on the other hand, is more than disgusting, it's actually dangerous. So, that's worth issuing a recall for.

The Boar's Head sites gives a long list of affected products, all yanked from distribution on July 29. So, by now, there probably isn't very much of it still around.

I'm sorry that my dudgeon just isn't up more for this. It's a sorry sight that a big-name company has dropped the ball (with a big thud). But it also ain't easy keeping 300+ million people fed and watered.

[Jenise]

The Boar's Head sites gives a long list of affected products, all yanked from distribution on July 29. So, by now, there probably isn't very much of it still around.

I happened to read an article just this morning that people are still getting sick--the listeria issue--on their products. Nine have died!

One has died here in NM. Reports say the inside of the factory was disgusting, sort of like in The Jungle. No more Boar's Head for me.

FWIW, their Lebanon bologna was a pale reflection of the authentic product from Seltzer's.

The Boar's Head sites gives a long list of affected products, all yanked from distribution on July 29. So, by now, there probably isn't very much of it still around.

I happened to read an article just this morning that people are still getting sick--the listeria issue--on their products. Nine have died!

Unlilke many food pathogens, listeria (or Listeriosis is actually illness I think) typically has an incubation period of 1 to 3 weeks, and it can be as long as 10 weeks. So hard to isolate cause at first ("hey, what have you eaten in the last month") and people can get sick 2 months after product was off market. Not to mention listeria has a very wide range of temps where it grows (down to about 38F, likely colder than your fridge)
While I saw reports that the plant had been cited for insects , leaks, and smelly coolers, none of the reports I've seen indicated over what period, or how it compares to other plants (I doubt ANY large food processing plant is ever inspected without multiple citations)
That said, BH is responsible and should (and will ) be held as such.
AFAIK, the only BH product I've bought in the last year is proscuitto di parma, which is not processed in VA)
I believe last major listeria outbreak (33 people dead) was canteloupes.

This morning, I was in our neighborhood grocery store with an extremely popular deli section. They lost over $1000.00 in products and are very concerned about this as much of their products are from BH. Yet, the lunch line was in full swing and locals lined up to order the perfect sandwich. I also spoke with the butcher I like and was telling her I quit buying from Foster Farms because of all the recalls. She admitted to me she does not buy Foster Farms either even though they still carry the line. These recalls have got to be tough on merchants...do they get reimbursed for the bad product?

No more Boar's Head for me. The more I hear, the worse it is:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports, reviewed by The Washington Post, show that inspectors notified managers at the plant of one or more “noncompliances” on 57 separate days between Aug. 1, 2023, and July 27, 2024. Among the issues cited were “dirty” machinery, flies in pickle containers, “heavy meat buildup” on walls, blood in puddles on the floor, and multiple instances of leaking pipes, clogged drains and heavy dust buildup in certain areas.

[Jenise]

From CNN today:

Boar’s Head will close the Virginia plant that produced deli meat products tied to a deadly listeria outbreak, the company said on Friday. The move is part of several changes made after what it called a “dark moment in our company’s history.” Boar’s Head said it will permanently discontinue sales of liverwurst after an investigation found its production process was the root cause of the listeria contamination. It will also appoint a new food safety officer and food safety council made up of independent industry experts.

I assume liverwurst wasn't a hot seller, anyway.

I wonder what it is about liverwurst production is the problem?

Boar's Head, to its credit, has posted the USDA's letter rescinding their safety approval for products coming from that plant. It has some detail:
https://boarshead.com/pdf/Boars-Head-NO ... 4_view.pdf