Boar’s Head plant linked to deadly outbreak had ‘meat overspray’ on walls, ceiling, records show

What to know about listeria

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeriosis is an infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

A Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Virginia tied to a deadly listeria outbreak repeatedly violated federal regulations, according to documents released through the federal Freedom of Information Act request.

Violations included instances of mold, insects, liquid dripping from the ceilings and meat and fat residue on the walls, floors and equipment.

Inspections at the plant have been suspended and it will remain closed "until the establishment is able to demonstrate it can produce safe products," U.S. Agriculture Department officials said in a statement Thursday.

Some of the recalled Boar’s Head product labels are pictured in provided images. (Credit: USDA)

‘Meat overspray,’ flies and mold

Between August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2024, inspectors found "heavy discolored meat buildup" and "meat overspray" on the walls of the facility and large pieces of meat on the floor.

There were also flies "going in and out" of pickle vats and "black patches of mold" on a ceiling.

One inspector detailed blood puddled on the floor and "a rancid smell in the cooler." Plant staff were repeatedly notified that they had failed to meet requirements, the documents showed.

The documents, first reported by CBS News, didn't contain any test results that confirmed listeria in the factory. The bacteria thrive on floors, walls and drains, in cracks and crevices and hard-to-clean parts of food processing equipment. Pests such as flies can easily spread the bacteria through a plant and the germ can survive in biofilms — thin, slimy collections of bacteria that are difficult to eradicate.

How many people have died?

At least nine people have died and another 57 hospitalized after being infected with listeria from Boar's Head deli meats linked to a massive recall last month, U.S. federal officials said this week.

It’s the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011, and Boar’s Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illnesses were reported starting in late May and have continued into August.