Food Plant Was Warned of Violations, Paper Says

Inspectors had warned a food plant of numerous sanitation violations months before a deadly listeria outbreak was linked to the facility, but little was done to fix the problems.

Moldy pipes, food particles left on conveyor belts, water leaking onto meat and a cockroach found in a locker were among dozens of problems the U.S. Department of Agriculture found at the suburban Wampler Foods plant, according to inspection documents obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The plant closed Oct. 12 after officials identified it as a source of a listeria outbreak blamed for at least seven deaths and dozens of illnesses. Wampler’s parent, Pilgrim’s Pride, recalled more than 27 million pounds of turkey and chicken, the biggest meat recall in U.S. history.