This audio was auto-generated. Please let us know if you have any feedback.
Dive Briefing:
- After some Boar's Head Provisions deli meats were recalled due to suspicions that Listeria monocytogenes may be present, several area grocery stores have announced measures to limit cross-contamination.
- Stop and Shop, Big Y, Giant Food and Giant Company It said it would clean the deli on Friday, remove all affected products, and discard other deli items that may have come into contact with the affected products. Big Y said it would temporarily close its deli counters.
- The grocery store's recall announcement came the same day as the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Warning to consumers And retailers have been notified that Boar's Head liverwurst products have tested positive for listeria.
Dive Insight:
The four grocery chains are each taking USDA-recommended steps to ensure the health and safety of shoppers.
The three Ahold Delhaize banners have disposed of all recalled products along with other open deli meats and cheeses that were sliced or prepared in the same area of the store, according to the release. The three banners are also “thoroughly cleaning the deli areas and equipment.”
Big Y said it will discard all affected and potentially affected products and temporarily close in-store delis to thoroughly clean and sanitize each store.
Grocers are following USDA's FSIS guidance and are encouraging shoppers who may have purchased potentially contaminated deli items to discard or return the items and clean out refrigerators to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
In addition to Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, where the bacteria was first discovered, the recall includes eight Boar's Head deli meat products. The other products include Boar's Head's Virginia old fashioned ham, Italian cappy style ham, beef salami and bologna. According to the USDA, all items shipped to retailers have a sell-by date of July 25 through Aug. 30.
The Maryland Department of Health collected the sample that tested positive for listeria and notified FSIS. As of Friday, additional testing was underway to determine if the product sample is related to the ongoing listeria outbreak, according to the USDA.
FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to cut meat sold in delis.
Catherine Douglas Moran contributed reporting.
