Boar's Head Reopens VA Plant After Deadly Outbreak with Safety Overhaul

JARRATT, VA – February 05, 2026 – Premium delicatessen company Boar's Head Brand has officially resumed operations at its Jarratt, Virginia, facility, a significant move that comes nearly a year and a half after the plant was shuttered following a deadly foodborne illness outbreak. The company announced the February 2 reopening as the culmination of a massive overhaul involving facility renovations, the implementation of stringent new safety protocols, and the assembly of a new, high-profile food safety leadership team.

The reopening marks a critical turning point for the 120-year-old brand as it seeks to move past one of the most challenging episodes in its history and rebuild trust with both consumers and the Jarratt community, where it has operated for over 35 years.

A New Beginning Born from a Tragic Past

While the company's announcement focuses on a future of enhanced safety, the context for the facility's transformation is rooted in the tragic events of 2024. The Jarratt plant was the epicenter of a widespread Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that sickened 61 people across 19 states. The outbreak was severe, leading to the hospitalization of all affected individuals and ultimately resulting in 10 deaths.

Investigations by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) linked the outbreak to contaminated liverwurst and other deli meats produced at the facility. The findings were stark, revealing a history of sanitation failures dating back to at least 2022, with inspectors documenting issues like mold, insects, and persistent residue on equipment. In response, Boar's Head initiated a recall of over 7 million pounds of products, and the USDA suspended operations at the plant in July 2024 before it was indefinitely closed that September.

At the time, the plant was operating under the USDA's Alternative 3 Listeria control program, an option that relies solely on sanitation and was described by critics as the weakest available. The reopening represents a complete reversal of that approach.

A Top-to-Bottom Safety Revolution

The cornerstone of the revamped Jarratt facility is its new classification under the USDA's Alternative 2 (Alt 2) Listeria control program. This is a significant upgrade, mandating the use of a Post-Lethality Treatment (PLT) or an Anti-Microbial Agent or Process (AMAP) to actively inhibit or destroy Listeria on ready-to-eat products after they are cooked and before they are packaged. This provides a critical layer of protection that was absent under the previous Alternative 3 system.

"The extensive enhancements and stringent protocols implemented at the Jarratt facility, as well as the advancements and the actions we've taken across our organization, ensure we uphold rigorous safety standards," said Chief Food Safety Officer Natalie Dyenson in a statement.

Beyond adopting the Alt 2 program, the company reports it has invested heavily in other key areas:

• Intensified Monitoring: The company has enhanced Listeria sampling across all its facilities and invested in cutting-edge laboratory testing and analysis technologies for faster and more accurate detection.
• Strengthened Sanitation: Sanitation teams have received additional third-party training, and daily cleaning procedures have been bolstered. Regular audits are now in place to verify the effectiveness of these protocols.
• Continuous Training: All team members have been retrained on the comprehensive new food safety procedures, with a continuous training program established to ensure employees remain current on the latest best practices.

An 'All-Star' Team to Lead the Charge

To steer this new course, Boar's Head has made significant investments in leadership. In May 2025, the company hired Natalie Dyenson into the newly created role of Chief Food Safety Officer. Dyenson is a highly respected industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience, including senior food safety roles at Dole Food Company, Walmart, and the International Fresh Produce Association.

Furthermore, the company has established a distinguished Food Safety Advisory Council, led by Chief Food Safety Advisor Frank Yiannas, the former Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. FDA. The council also includes Dr. David Acheson, a former Associate Commissioner for Foods at the FDA and Chief Medical Officer at the USDA FSIS, and Dr. Martin Wiedmann, a world-renowned Cornell University professor and leading expert on Listeria.

The assembly of this team signals a profound commitment to embedding expert-driven, science-based principles into the core of the company's operations, from the plant floor to the executive suite.

Rebuilding in Jarratt

The 2024 closure delivered a severe economic blow to Greensville and Sussex counties, resulting in the loss of approximately 500 to 600 union jobs and significant lost revenue for the local government. The reopening is a welcome sign of economic revival for the community.

Boar's Head stated it is "excited to bring employment opportunities back to the region." As a gesture of its renewed commitment to the community, the company also announced a recent donation of $50,000 to be shared between the public school systems of Greensville and Sussex counties.

The path forward will be closely monitored. As part of the conditions for reopening, the USDA has instituted a new level of oversight. Federal inspectors will now directly oversee activities at the Jarratt facility, a departure from the previous state-contracted inspection arrangement. This enhanced verification, including intensified Listeria testing for at least 90 days, adds a final layer of scrutiny to the company's comeback. The entire food industry will be watching to see if these comprehensive measures are enough to restore consumer confidence and secure the future of a brand built on a promise of quality.