Dive Brief:
- Following the recall of select Boar’s Head Provision deli meats due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes, several regional grocers announced steps they are taking to limit cross contamination.
- Stop & Shop, Big Y, Giant Food and The Giant Company on Friday said they are cleaning their delis, removing all impacted products and discarding other deli items that may have come in contact with the affected ones. Big Y said it is temporarily closing its deli counters.
- The grocers’ recall announcements came the same day as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) alerted consumers and retailers about a positive listeria test done on a Boar’s Head’s liverwurst product.
Dive Insight:
The four grocery chains are each taking steps recommended by the USDA to ensure the health and safety of its shoppers.
The three Ahold Delhaize banners discarded all recalled products as well as other open deli meats and cheeses sliced or prepared in the same area in their stores, according to their announcement. The three banners are also “conducting a thorough cleaning of the deli area and equipment.”
Big Y said it will temporarily close its in-store delis to throw away all impacted and potentially impacted products as well as deep clean and sanitize the departments.
The grocers are encouraging shoppers who may have purchased potentially contaminated deli products to discard or return the items and clean their refrigerators to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, per the USDA’s FSIS guidelines.
Eight other Boar’s Head deli meat products are included in the recall in addition to the Strassburger Brand Liverwurst, where the bacteria was originally discovered. Other products include Boar’s Head’s Virginia old fashioned ham, Italian cappy style ham, beef salami and bologna. All items shipped to retailers have sell-by dates ranging from July 25 to Aug. 30, according to the USDA.
The Maryland Department of Health collected the sample that tested positive for listeria and notified the FSIS. As of Friday, further testing is ongoing 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 the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis.
Catherine Douglas Moran contributed reporting.