USDA Reports Filth, Slime and Insect Issues at Boar’s Head Plants

WASHINGTON - Government inspectors documented extensive sanitation violations at multiple Boar’s Head facilities, according to newly released federal records.

Issues included meat residue, mold, insects, and general filth, raising questions about the company’s food safety practices.

Reports from facilities in New Castle, Indiana; Forrest City, Arkansas; and Petersburg, Virginia, highlight problems dating back six years. Instances such as dried meat juices, green mold, and slime were noted. In one case, an inspector recorded “general filth” in an Indiana plant.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released these findings after Freedom of Information Act requests, revealing conditions mirroring the Jarratt, Virginia, plant that was shut down last year following a listeria outbreak that sickened over 60 people and resulted in 10 deaths. The company recalled over 7 million pounds of deli meats during the crisis.

Boar’s Head officials acknowledged the violations but stated the findings “do not meet our high standards.”

They continue to operate under USDA oversight while hiring new personnel to oversee food safety improvements. 

USDA officials have promised new measures to control listeria in plants producing ready-to-eat foods. These measures include broader testing, updated training and tools, increased inspections, more food safety reviews, and stronger oversight of state inspectors working on behalf of the agency.