H-E-B FOOD-SAFETY PROGRAM CATCHES BUG

SAN ANTONIO -- H.E. Butt Grocery Co.'s internal food-safety program took credit for a recent recall issued by the retailer for certain packages of its Turkey Spread, sold in its H-E-B Food & Drug Store delis. Some 480 16-ounce containers sold from self-service cases between Feb. 10 and Feb. 15 were affected by the return request, issued after tests on a sample revealed the presence of the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. No illnesses were reported from consumption of the spread, which had a sell-by date of Feb. 28. H-E-B has received praise in the past from the supermarket industry for helping to break new ground with its progressive food-safety plan, which includes regular, in-house monitoring and sample testing of foods made by the chain.