Mon Sep 23 22:10:13 UTC 2024: ## Former Boar’s Head Sanitation Manager Claims He Was Fired for Raising Safety Concerns Before Listeria Outbreak
**Jarratt, Virginia** – A former sanitation manager at Boar’s Head’s now-shuttered Jarratt plant is alleging he was fired after raising concerns about lax health and safety standards, just months before a listeria outbreak linked to the facility resulted in nine deaths and numerous hospitalizations.
Terrence Boyce, a sanitation veteran with nearly two decades of experience, was hired in 2023 to improve sanitation at the plant following a food safety audit by federal regulators that found “deficiencies or deviations.” However, Boyce claims he was dismissed after he began recommending changes and reporting concerns about the plant’s safety practices.
Boyce alleges management was not committed to safety and points to several issues, including inadequate cleaning protocols, improper use of cleaning chemicals, and a lack of attention to cleanliness in the meat smokehouses. He claims the water used for cleaning was not hot enough, leading to the build-up of grease, and that bleach was not used on the walls, floors, and equipment for at least three years.
Boyce also reports that he brought up concerns about a sanitation worker suffering a hernia while moving a vat of discarded meat, which he believes was a symptom of a larger safety issue.
Following his dismissal, Boyce filed a whistleblower complaint with the Virginia Department of Labor, alleging retaliation by Boar’s Head. The complaint is still under review.
The Jarratt plant was closed in late July after a liverwurst sample tested positive for listeria, leading to a recall of over 7 million pounds of meats and cheeses. The company said a specific production process used for liverwurst was the culprit but did not elaborate.
Boyce’s claims come as the USDA continues to investigate the listeria outbreak. Inspection reports from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversaw the plant, reveal numerous violations including rancid smells, blood on the floor, black mold-like substances, and the presence of flies.
Boar’s Head has not responded to Boyce’s allegations but has stated that they will be cleaning the plant before possibly selling the facility. The company has also discontinued the production of liverwurst, which was only made at the Jarratt facility.
This incident raises serious questions about food safety regulations and the potential for corporate retaliation against whistleblowers who raise concerns about unsafe practices. The investigation into the listeria outbreak is ongoing and Boyce’s allegations will likely play a key role in determining the extent of Boar’s Head’s responsibility.
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