In denying a request for data related to a deadly Listeria outbreak traced to Boar’s Head deli meat, the USDA said the company is under criminal investigation.
In keeping with its current policy, the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
The outbreak has sickened 59 people in 19 states, killing 10. All patients required hospitalization due to the severity of their illness. Food and Drug Administration investigators have found the outbreak of Listeria in unopened packages of Boar’s Head deli meat.
The company has closed the Jarrett, VA manufacturing plant involved in the outbreak and permanently halted liverwurst production nationwide. The company is owned by the Brunckhorst and Bischoff families and is based in Sarasota, Florida.
Previously released documents showed food safety issues dating back at least two years. The USDA did not close the plant after these problems were discovered.
In response to requests from The Associated Pressthe USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service declined to release documents related to other documents from the agency’s inspections and enforcement at the Boar’s Head plant in Virginia. The agency also declined to release inspection reports from eight other company factories.
The documents — which FSIS acknowledged contained dozens of pages of documentation — were withheld because they were compiled “for law enforcement purposes, which include both civil and criminal laws,” according to a letter sent today, September 27, in response to Freedom. of the Information Act requests submitted by The Associated Press. Releasing the data could “disrupt” and “hinder” the government’s investigation, the letter said.
Previously released data showed problems at the Virginia plant, including mold, insects, dripping water and meat and grease residue on walls, floors and equipment that are at least two years old.
In July, Boar’s Head recalled more than 7.2 million pounds of processed meats due to the Listeria outbreak.
On September 26, two Connecticut Democrats said the Justice Department should obtain cooperation from the company and the USDA in a Justice Department investigation.
“The time for action is long overdue, and we urge your agencies to work together to seek immediate justice for affected consumers and prevent this from happening again,” DeLauro and Blumenthal wrote.
“Going forward, it is critical that the agency takes this matter seriously and takes the necessary steps to address the concerns raised by this outbreak. We urge USDA to work closely with the DOJ to determine whether Boar’s Head should face criminal charges for their responsibility in this crisis.”
USDA officials have said they have launched an investigation and will make a decision toward the end of an investigation, Blumenthal’s office said.
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