New reports on the Boar's Head Listeria recall: mold, insects, and dirty walls

Some new updates with the massive listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats and meat products. Currently there are 57 confirmed cases (all requiring hospitalization) and 9 deaths across 18 states. The Virginia plant where the outbreak originated has paused operations, and new reports of dozens of violations at that plant have come to light.

Black mold, cobwebs, insects, meat buildup and meat “overspray” on walls are just a few of the violations mentioned. Despite this, records also show that no additional actions were taken by management to address these issues, and no enforcement actions were taken by inspectors.

This is the most severe listeriosis outbreak in the past decade, and most severely affects consumers that are elderly, very young, and the fetuses of pregnant people. All products part of the recall are completely off shelves, but now the concern are consumers that have frozen the products and continue to consume them.

To read more about the outbreak, as well as some more information on listeriosis, check out some of these comprehensive articles:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boars-head-listeria-recall-bug-mold-mildew-what-to-know/

https://apnews.com/article/boars-head-listeria-recall-fcde06b66dca38d53361c92495a7cfed

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/9-deaths-57-hospitalizations-reported-listeria-outbreak-linked-113236317