Boar’s Head takes steps to rebuild public trust after deadly Listeria outbreak

Boar’s Head is rolling out extensive food safety initiatives in the wake of a 2024 Listeria outbreak that sickened 61 people and led to 10 deaths across 19 states.

The outbreak was linked to contaminated liverwurst produced at the company’s Jarrett, VA., facility. In response, Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meats and permanently ceased liverwurst production.

To rebuild its reputation and restore consumer trust, Boar’s Head established an independent Food Safety Advisory Council. The council is led by Frank Yiannas, the former Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Yiannas has brought decades of regulatory and industry experience to the company’s ongoing food safety overhaul.

Comprehensive safety enhancements
Boar’s Head has adopted the USDA’s Alternative 2 Listeria control measures, which incorporate high-pressure and water pasteurization methods, along with natural ingredients to inhibit bacterial growth. These techniques enhance the company’s food safety standards while maintaining product quality. The company also intensified its environmental monitoring by increasing Listeria sampling and implementing advanced microbial testing that delivers faster detection and response times.

Sanitation practices have been strengthened across all Boar’s Head facilities, with expanded daily cleaning and regular sanitation audits. All employees have undergone retraining on updated food safety protocols. In addition, Boar’s Head hosted its first “Food Safety Promise Day” on Feb. 13 during which operations were paused across all facilities to focus on food safety initiatives and to honor those impacted by the outbreak

Regulatory oversight.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted an extensive review of Boar’s Head’s Jarrett, VA., plant. The review revealed systemic food safety violations dating back to 2022, including product residue on processing equipment, condensation in ready-to-eat areas and structural deficiencies that could harbor bacteria. FSIS expanded its inspections to other Boar’s Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia, conducting intensified sampling and ordering corrections where necessary.

FSIS also identified weaknesses in its oversight processes and has since implemented stricter Listeria testing protocols. Inspectors now receive updated training to better identify and respond to systemic issues, and food safety assessments at ready-to-eat meat facilities have been expanded.

Cultural shift
Boar’s Head has emphasized that food safety is now a core part of its corporate culture, with all employees held accountable for maintaining high safety standards. The company is also piloting smart tags in its supply chain to track real-time safety and compliance data, ensuring that products meet stringent safety criteria throughout the production process.

The company is still under investigation by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice. While Boar’s Head has not confirmed plans to reopen the Jarrett, VA., facility, it has pledged to continue strengthening its food safety practices.

Despite these efforts, only time will tell if customers will fully trust the Boar’s Head brand again. The family-owned company posted annual sales of $1 billion before the outbreak.

Public scrutiny remains high, and the company’s ability to follow through on its promises will likely determine whether it can restore its reputation and retain consumer loyalty. Boar’s Head remains committed to setting a new standard for food safety and regaining consumer trust. The company has encouraged customers to visit its food safety website to learn more about ongoing safety initiatives and improvements.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)