Boar’s Head Reopens Troubled Deli Meat Plant Amid Continuing Concerns

Posted by: OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers

Minneapolis, Minnesota – August 8, 2025 – Despite a recent federal suspension following a deadly food poisoning outbreak, the Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, is set to reopen in the coming months. The facility was at the center of a Listeria contamination that resulted in 10 deaths and dozens of illnesses last year. While USDA officials say the “serious issues” that led to the suspension have been “fully rectified,” recent inspections at other Boar’s Head plants have uncovered similar sanitation problems.

A History of Unsanitary Conditions and Negligence

OFT Law has been at the forefront of litigation against Boar’s Head following this deadly outbreak. We have filed multiple lawsuits on behalf of victims, including a pregnant woman from Minnesota who nearly lost her unborn child after consuming contaminated deli meat. Our lawsuits allege that the company knowingly sold products from a “dilapidated and filthy facility.” We have an active lawsuit pending in federal court in New Jersey.

The USDA suspended operations at the Jarratt plant in September of last year, citing a “failure to maintain sanitary conditions.” The company then permanently stopped making liverwurst and recalled over 7 million pounds of deli products.

The problems, however, appear to extend beyond the Jarratt facility. Documents from the Associated Press show that Boar’s Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, and another Virginia location were flagged for the same types of sanitation issues that caused the outbreak. These reports, logged by government inspectors from January 1 through July 23, 2025, documented a variety of problems, including:

• Meat and fat residue on equipment and walls.
• Drains blocked with meat products.
• Beaded condensation on ceilings and floors.
• Overflowing trash cans.
• Staff not wearing proper protective gear or washing their hands.

These findings have been described as “appalling” by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and point to a “food safety culture problem” within the company.

OFT Law Continues to Fight for Victims

OFT Law has filed multiple lawsuits against Boar’s Head, including:

• The first lawsuit, filed in July 2024, on behalf of a plaintiff who purchased Boar’s Head liverwurst from a deli in the St. Louis area.
• A lawsuit filed on behalf of a pregnant woman from Minnesota who was hospitalized after eating contaminated deli meat. This case was filed in the District of Minnesota.
• A new lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

We have extensive experience representing those affected by Listeria outbreaks, including this specific incident. Listeria is a particularly dangerous foodborne pathogen, especially for pregnant women, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems. A Listeria infection in a pregnant woman can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.

We believe that companies like Boar’s Head must be held responsible when their negligence leads to suffering. “Listeria should always be a deli meat company’s number one concern,” said OFT lawyer Brendan Flaherty.

If you or a loved one became sick with a Listeria infection after eating deli meat, it is crucial to understand your rights. OFT Law offers a 100% free consultation, and there are no fees unless you recover compensation.

Call 866.352.7472 today or contact us online. We handle food injury cases across the nation, offer 100% free, initial consultations, and there are never any fees unless you recover compensation.