Metcalfe's Market closes deli counter due to multi-state listeria outbreak

Metcalfe's Market briefly closed its deli counter as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts an investigation into a multi-state outbreak of listeria linked to sliced deli meat.

"Due to a nationwide CDC investigation on meats sliced at delis, we have voluntarily closed the deli department for a deep cleaning out of an abundance of caution," the store wrote in an Instagram announcement .

However, by Wednesday morning, the store reopened the deli counters at all three locations. Carrie Smith, director of communications at SpartanNash, said the store pulled recalled products and any other products that could have been exposed to them.

"We employ high standards of food safety and cleanliness in our retail locations, and we will remain vigilant with these practices," Smith said. "We will also continue to follow all recommended guidelines and precautions associated with any recall."

The listeria outbreak has caused illnesses across 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. The deaths occurred in Illinois and New Jersey.

There has been one reported Wisconsin case , though the CDC did not provide specific information.

The CDC's investigation found that a majority of the people sickened ate sliced meats from deli counters. The agency did not receive any reports of sickness from prepackaged deli meats.

“Of the 18 people able to be interviewed, 16 (89%) reported eating meats sliced at a deli, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham,” the CDC said in a release. “Meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis.”

Boar's Head has recalled over 7 million pounds of deli meat and has been sued after an 88-year-old Missourian fell "deathly ill" from their products. The recalled items range from beef, bologna, ham, liverwurst and salami, among others.

For businesses that received recalled products, the CDC recommends thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all food and non-food surfaces and throwing away any open meats and cheeses in the deli because of cross-contamination.

Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with weakened immune system. According to the CDC, listeria spreads easily across deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food.

Symptoms for non-pregnant people are usually fever, muscle aches and fatigue. They may also experience a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.

Pregnant women may also experience similar symptoms, however listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.

Tristan Hernandez can be reached at thernandez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Metcalfe's Market closes deli counter due to multi-state listeria outbreak