At least 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths have been linked to a listeria strain traced back to Boar's Head products distributed from a now-shuttered plant the company ran in Virginia. This alarming statistic underscores the seriousness of the health crisis associated with the company’s deli meats, which raises significant public health concerns and calls for further scrutiny into Boar's Head's operational practices and safety measures.
Violations flagged at the plant by agriculture officials included mold and insects found throughout the site. These repeated infractions highlight systemic issues within the plant's maintenance and safety protocols, indicating the need for stricter oversight and accountability from food safety authorities to ensure consumer safety.
The USDA disclosed the existence of the probe in a letter on Thursday. The department stated that releasing records related to the investigation could hinder the government's ability to control and shape the ongoing inquiry into the health crisis linked to Boar's Head, reflecting the complexities involved in balancing transparency with investigative integrity.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Rosa DeLauro urged the USDA and the Department of Justice to consider criminal charges against the company. Their plea for immediate justice for impacted consumers signals the mounting pressure on governing bodies to act decisively in cases of foodborne illnesses linked to negligence or misconduct within food processing operations.
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