990730 N Carolina Plant Closed After Listeria Found

Williamston, NC - State and federal inspectors shut down a meat packing plant here after tests detected the potentially deadly listeria bacteria in its luncheon meats for the second time in three months.

In May, more than 16,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products from White Packing Co. such as bologna, salami and chopped ham were recalled because of the bacteria.

In this case, the meat that tested positive was held at the plant and destroyed, so a recall was unnecessary, officials said Friday.

But White Packing's Williamston operations were suspended July 16 because state inspectors had documented several problems, including the plant's failure to meet federal sanitation procedures.

State and federal agriculture officials remained at the plant Friday, working with plant representatives to identify problems and find ways to correct them. The plant must submit an “action plan” before it will be allowed to reopen.

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