The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that 57 people have been hospitalized in 18 states in connection with the listeria outbreak, and nine people have died. The agency called it the largest listeria outbreak since one linked to cantaloupe in 2011.
CW: blood
Inspection reports from the Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia, have described insects, mold, “blood in puddles on the floor” and a “rancid smell in the cooler” at various points since 2022.
Additional details, first reported by the New York Times, date to September 2022, when “major deficiencies” with the plant’s physical conditions were identified, including rusty equipment, peeling and flaking paint, loose caulk, holes in walls, product residue on surfaces and dripping condensation. The reports said plant management was notified and directed to take corrective action.
I work at a flavor company, what we make will eventually be like 0.5% max of a finished food/beverage and almost all of it has zero risk of microbial contamination (due to formulation) before another company adds it to their product. If our plant had like 10% of the issues that Boar's Head has, we would have been shut down immediately by the FDA. I can't even begin to imagine how many people were paid off for this to go on for so long.
I think the main reason gross negligence doesn't happen more often in the US is lawsuits and PR nightmares. To avoid those things - companies do a bare minimum. As far as I can tell - regulators seem to do fuck all except issue fines and the law for crimes such as these is a joke.
My bet is a huge no. I think outside of civil lawsuits - the worst the company will face is fines. To add insult to injury - maybe the media will describe them as "significant" fines.
