Deadly Deli Meats: The Boar's Head Listeria Scandal

a recent investigation by the US Department of Agriculture USDA has uncovered a multitude of health and safety concerns at abor head plant in gerat Virginia which has been linked to a Nationwide recall of deadly meats and a deadly hysteria Outbreak The hysteria a type of bacteria is a serious food born pathogen that can cause Hy sterios a potentially lieth threatening illness particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly pregnant women and individual with weakened immune systems leria is a genus of bacteria that can be found in soil water and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals leria monocog genes is the species most commonly associated with human illness this bacterium can contaminate food products particularly those that are not cooked or are not stored properly and can cause a range of symptoms including fever headache and gastrointestinal distress in severe cases myosis can lead to to meningitis sepsis and even death the leria outbreak which has resulted in 57 hospitalizations and at least nine deaths across itting States has been linked to products distributed from the bers head plant in jarat Virginia the Centers for Disease Control and prevention CDC has stated that this is the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to Canton Loop the CDC has been working closely with state and local Health officials to invest investigate the outbreak and identify a source of the contamination records obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that USDA inspectors found numerous non-compliances at the BS head plant over the past year inspectors found mold and M you building up around the plants facilities including around handwashing sinks steel fats and holding coers mold is a type of fungus that can grow in damp environments and can produce toxins that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems in one instance inspectors found a black mold-like substance throughout a room with some spots as large as a quarter in addition to mold and milu inspectors also observed insects including flies gnats ants beetles and cockroaches in and around day meets at the plant insects can contaminate food products and spread disease in one instance inspectors found small flying out like insects crawling on the walls and flying around a room with heavy meat build up on the walls in another instance inspectors found ants traveling down a wall as well as a beetle and a cockroach inspectors also found leaks and pooling water throughout the plant including a puddle with a green algal growth and condensation that was dropping onto uncovered deli meats water leaks can create an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold in one instance inspectors found a leak near fans that were blowing liquid onto un covered deli meats when the leak was pointed out to employees they attempted to mop it up but the leak returned within 10 seconds furthermore inspectors found ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor and a rancid smell throughout a cooler used at the plant blood and other bodily fluids can contaminate food products and create an environment conducive to the growth of bacteria in one instance inspectors found a cooler with a rancid smell and ample amounts of Blood on the floor a spokes person for bors head stated that the company deeply regrets the impact of the recall and that food safety is their absolute priority the company has suspended operations at the gerrett plant and is working to disinfect the plant and retrain employees no product will be released from the plant until it meets the highest quality and safety standards the company has also partnered with the industry's leading Global food safety experts to conduct a rigorous investigation to get to the bottom of the events leading to this recall consumers ear to double check the refrigerators for recalled meats and to clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products it is essential to handle and store food products safely to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold this includes keeping more meat ultry and seafood separate from ready to eat Foods cooking food to the recommended internal temperature and refrigerating perishable foods promptly by taking these precautions consumers can reduce their risk of food born illness and help prevent the spread of leria and other pathogens