WASHINGTON — Recent details released from a US Department of Agriculture Freedom of Information (FOIA) request revealed problems at a Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Va. Deli meat produced at the plant was linked to a Listeria outbreak that led to several deaths.

According to documents released under the FOIA submitted by CBS News, government inspectors logged 69 instances of “noncompliance” with federal rules over the last year. 

From Aug. 1, 2023, until Aug. 2, 2024, inspectors of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said in the report that it found “heavy discolored meat buildup” and “meat overspray on walls and large pieces of meat on the floor.” 

Other inspectors documented flies “going in and out” of pickle vats and “black patches of mold” on a ceiling. 

One inspector detailed blood puddled on the floor and “a rancid smell in the cooler.” Plant staff were repeatedly notified that they had failed to meet requirements, according to the FSIS document.

Since the Listeria investigation first opened on July 19, a total of 57 persons have been hospitalized across 18 states. In its latest update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported six more recent deaths in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York and two in South Carolina. A total of nine people have died. 

State and local public health officials have been interviewing affected people about the foods they consumed in the months leading up to their illness. Of the 44 people able to be interviewed, 41 (93%) reported eating deli meats. Nineteen people reported eating liverwurst manufactured by Boar’s Head.

According to information provided by the CDC, this listeriosis outbreak has been the largest since 2011, when one was linked to cantaloupe. 

CDC told people to look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell by dates into Oct. 2024.

Boar’s Head initially issued a recall on July 26 for over 200,000 lbs of liverwurst product along with other ready-to-eat deli meat products. 

Within a few days, the company expanded the recall to include 7 million additional lbs of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

While the Listeria investigation is ongoing, Boar’s Head has begun to face litigation due to the outbreak.