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| Rhode Island Department of Health |
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Phone: (401) 222-2231
Fax: (401) 222-6548
711(TTY) |
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Compare Foods Update - Compare Foods Receives Clean Bill of Health
After the Rhode Island Health Department Advisory released on December 15, 2006, Compare Foods voluntarily closed for two days to insure that the store met and exceeded all safety standards.
On its own initiative, Compare Foods immediately hired an independent food safety company to review the entire store and advise Compare Foods on any potential food safety improvements.
The store reopened on December 18, 2006, after the Department of Health did extensive testing on samples collected throughout the store. With the cooperation of Compare Foods, the Department of Health confirmed that all of the samples were negative, including in the deli, which was the original area of concern. At that time the store re-opened fully to the public.
In addition, Compare Foods has provided training to all of its employees in food safety to insure compliance with all Department of Health regulations. Furthermore, at their own expense, Compare Foods has also hired an expert on food safety to conduct periodic independent inspections at the store. |
Media Release
For: Immediate Release
Date: December 15, 2006
RI Health Department Advisory
Not to Consume Prepared Foods Purchased at Compare Foods, 863 Broad St., Providence, RI
Consumers are advised to discard all food items prepared at Compare Foods, 863 Broad St., Providence, RI that have been purchased any time in the past. This includes prepared foods such as sandwiches, deli sliced meats and cheeses, and prepared salads such as: tuna, macaroni, seafood, turkey, ham and cheese, potato, and Cole slaw. These foods should be discarded because there is the potential that they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes . Multiple samples collected from this market during an investigation of an illness due to this organism were positive for this bacterium.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Please contact your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms and you have consumed any food item prepared in this market.
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