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The Boar's Head meat processing plant in Jarratt, Virginia, is preparing to reopen nearly a year after a deadly listeria outbreak forced its closure.

Federal regulators say the facility will only be allowed back into operation under strict safety conditions and close oversight.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that it has approved the company's reopening plan but stressed that operations will be carefully monitored.

"Once it resumes operations, the Jarratt establishment will be operating under an enhanced verification plan for at least 90 days," the agency said.

Inspectors from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will be on-site to conduct intensified listeria testing and ensure safety rules are followed. Any lapses could result in tougher inspections or enforcement actions.

The decision comes after Boar's Head worked with federal officials to demonstrate that it could meet food safety requirements.

The company said it has implemented stronger sanitation practices and new oversight systems.

According to FoxBusiness, in a statement, Boar's Head described its commitment to food safety as "unwavering" and noted that recent upgrades to protocols are designed to prevent a repeat of past problems.

Virginia Boar's Head Facility Cited for Widespread Sanitation Failures

The plant had been shut down since September 2024, when an outbreak of listeria linked to liverwurst produced at the facility left more than 60 people sick across 19 states. Ten people died, and dozens more were hospitalized.

Federal inspectors later found widespread sanitation issues at the Jarratt site, including meat residue on equipment, condensation dripping onto food, rust, structural damage, and even insects inside production areas, Gizmodo said.

The USDA's inspection reports described repeated violations that allowed bacteria to persist. Experts noted that residue left on surfaces can lead to biofilm formation, making listeria harder to eliminate even with cleaning.

A series of noncompliance reports also documented clogged drains, cracked floors, and water buildup that contributed to unsanitary conditions.

Following the outbreak, Boar's Head announced a number of reforms, including the creation of a Food Safety Council made up of independent experts.

The company also hired a new chief food safety and quality assurance officer who reports directly to its president.

These steps, the company said, are meant to create stronger accountability and higher standards across all of its facilities.

Despite these changes, concerns remain. Freedom of Information Act records obtained by news outlets show that other Boar's Head plants in states like Indiana, Arkansas, and Virginia faced similar sanitation problems this year.

Critics say that more transparency is needed to ensure that conditions have truly improved.