East Coast Grocery Chains Pull Recalled Products

Giant Food LLC and Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. have pulled several potato products from their shelves that were subject to a voluntary recall because of possible bacterial contamination.

Giant Food and Stop & Shop said late Saturday they have pulled 20 oz. bags of Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns, Simply Potatoes Homestyle Slices and Simply Potatoes Red Potato Wedges.

The products were recalled by Northern Star Co., a subsidiary of food processor Michael Foods Inc. The recalled items all have “use by” dates on their packages ranging from March 29 to April 3, 2009.

The products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. The bacteria can be very damaging for pregnant women or those with weakened immune systems.

Both Landover, Md.-based Giant Food and Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop said they have not received reports of any illness or injuries related to consumption of the products.

The companies said customers who have purchased these products should discard any unused portions and bring the receipts to their stores for a full refund.

Giant Food operates 182 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.

Stop & Shop operates stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Maine.