In the wake of a devastating food safety crisis that claimed the lives of ten individuals and hospitalized fifty-nine, the public's demand for accountability is at an all-time high. The Jarratt, VA plant responsible for producing the lethal liverwurst has a documented history of unsanitary conditions, from product residue on surfaces to black mold and insects, which has been known to federal inspectors since at least 2022. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been under scrutiny for its handling of the situation, particularly regarding the release of critical records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The author, Bill Marler, an accomplished personal injury lawyer and internationally recognized food safety expert, has been advocating for transparency and accountability in the food industry. He sent a FOIA request to the USDA, seeking information on the current status of any law-enforcement hold or referral related to the Boar's Head records and any referral or transmittal records between FSIS and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The response, a 78-page document, is damning but falls short of providing the answers Marler sought. While it reveals a paper trail of noncompliance at the Jarratt plant, including product residue, insects, and black mold, it does not address the key questions of accountability and criminal investigation. The law-enforcement exemption that once shielded these records has evaporated, signaling a cooling of the interference concern. However, the response does not clarify whether this is due to a criminal matter being referred out or wound down.
Marler argues that the lack of information about the DOJ investigation and the USDA Inspector General's review of its own inspectors' actions is concerning. He emphasizes the need for an answer to a fair and narrow question: is anyone still working on this case, and will the public ever be told how it ends? The author intends to keep asking, driven by the goal of making food safe enough that families no longer need lawyers like him.
In the context of the 250th birthday of the United States, Marler reflects on the country's progress in feeding itself safely. While the dream of a safer food system feels less far off, the recent crisis serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of public support for organizations like Food Safety News, which rely on reader-funded donations to protect public health.
