Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog on February 20, 2025
On February 13, 2025, Boar’s Head announced that they were observing a Food Safety Promise Day and explained their ongoing efforts to increase food safety at their plants.
The 120-year-old meat and cheese producer at the center of an unprecedented deli meat Listeria outbreak is working to bring back trust in the brand. Between closing the controversial plant, implementing a major overhaul on Listeria prevention strategies, and working to regain public opinion, Boar’s Head has been busy this year.
What exactly is the Food Safety Promise Day about and what is the company doing to prevent another tragedy from happening?
Let’s explore. But first, a little background.
Serious public relations efforts have been made over the last year to help the meat and cheese giant recover from the tragic Listeria outbreak linked to their liverwurst and deli meat products.
In the midst of the outbreak spanning 19 states that sickened at least 61 people and resulted in 10 deaths during the summer of 2024, a massive document was made available. Courtesy of the Freedom of Information Act.
This documented 69 graphic violations involving everything from rotting meat on equipment and on the processing floor. To standing water and dripping contamination on raw materials. To pests. All over a one year period. The images painted in this report reads like the setting of a horror movie. Scary!
The public was shocked!
And the unsanitary conditions could not be ignored.
The long-standing Jarratt, Virginia facility was closed down as a result. Operations for certain products made at the plant were distributed to other facilities within the company.
But the infamous liverwurst products were permanently discontinued.
In a letter to the public, Boar’s Head explained that they were observing a Food Safety Promise Day on February 13, 2024, where all operations would pause in a moment of reflection and focus on safety.
The letter served to acknowledge their efforts in making up for the tragic outbreak and offer a glimpse into what the company has been doing over the past year to prevent something like that from happening again.
“To Our Valued Boar’s Head® Customers,
We are writing to you today to emphasize that your safety is our highest concern. From start to finish, we prioritized safety in every step of the process, so you can enjoy Boar’s Head with confidence.
Last year’s liverwurst recall was the first of its kind in Boar’s Head’s 120-year history. A thorough review and examination into what occurred confirmed that no other Boar’s Head products contributed to the event, an no current products are subject to any recalls.
We deeply regret this incident and are fully committed to ensuring it never happens again. Over the past several months, we’ve taken significant action and we’re working every day to set a new industry standard for food safety.
Today, operations at all Boar’s Head facilities will pause for ‘Boar’s Head Food Safety Promise Day.’”
In addition to observing a Boar’s Head Food Safety Promise Day, the company shared activities that they are currently working on. Activities to strengthen food safety at their existing plants and regain consumer trust.
Following the tragic Listeria outbreak, it became clear that additional oversight was needed. In response to that need, the company established an independent Food Safety Advisory Council.
Led by Frank Yiannas, MPH, as Chief Food Safety Advisor and three other distinguished food safety experts, this council will head food safety programs in the company.
Boar’s Head also upgraded their Listeria control method. They are now using United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Alternative 2 Listeria Control Requirements. This includes high-pressure pasteurization and water pasteurization. They are also using certain natural ingredients that have been proven to inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens.
This strengthened Listeria control methods are aimed at “controlling microorganisms without compromising quality.”
Boar’s Head explains that they “intensified environmental monitoring” by increasing Listeria sampling activities across all of their facilities. New rapid detection technology has been deployed to help maintain “high sanitation standards.”
In addition to third-party training, Boar’s Head claims they have also “bolstered” daily cleaning and sanitation procedures. This consists of top-to-bottom cleaning and sanitizing manufacturing equipment, surfaces, and plant environments each day. Additional audits are performed to ensure the effectiveness of those practices.
Team members at all facilities received retraining on the updated procedures and protocols implemented to enhance food safety and sanitation.
The February 13, 2024 Food Safety Promise Day is just one of the ways Boar’s Head claims they are fostering a strong food safety culture. The letter explains that the entire Boar’s Head team at all levels continues to promote this culture of respect for the brand. And each other.
It is unclear whether the company intends to observe this Safety Promise Day annually. Or if this was a one-time occurrence.
Whether you were an avid Boar’s Head fan or simply heard of the company before last summer. Chances are you likely formed an opinion of them at some point.
For many, such public discovery of the state of the facility impacted their opinion of the Boar’s Head brand and their products. For others, it has merely been a bump in the road. Much like the undying love of Blue Bell following their Listeria outbreak.
Has the Boar’s Head Food Safety Promise Day and their current work impacted your opinion of the company?
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Boar’s Head Food Safety Promise Day Announcement,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)