No market meltdown, local meat merchants say

Businesses around the West Island dealing in cold cuts, like merchants or delis, stated they have not really been affected by the listeria crisis that seems to have gripped much of the nation over the last two weeks, beyond answering concerns by apprehensive customers. "We probably get 30 questions a day," said Stewart Shick, co-owner of Swiss Vienna Pastry at Pointe-Claire Plaza. The Swiss pastry store he runs, which also has a deli counter, never carried any of the Maple Leaf products that were recalled, he explained.

However, customers have been asking questions, and Shick and staff have been patiently answering them. "People read the papers and right away they get all nervous," Shick said, adding the worries are understandable.

Meanwhile, over at Deli B., a deli at Valois Bay in Pointe Claire, manager Phil Varvaro estimated there may be a general business loss due to the listeria scare, but he said Deli B.'s never carried any of the Maple Leaf-branded meats anyway. "We had no problems whatsoever," he said, and could not even confirm there is indeed a lull among customers. "I'm sure it affects all businesses," he said.

At Fruit Nevada on Pierrefonds Boulevard, a grocery store with a deli meats section, manager Robin said they had to act quickly when they first found out about the listeria outbreak. "As soon as the news came out, (the suppliers) came," said Robin, and took the tainted deli meats out of storage. Luckily, they had not been placed on shelves yet, so there was no risk of contamination whatsoever. "The customers were asking, of course," he added, but staff was carefully explaining everything to them.

The listeria crisis broke out slowly over the course of the summer. The bacteria, known as listeria monocyctogenes, grows on some pasteurized dairy products and processed foods like cold cuts. So far, 15 deaths in Canada have been linked to listeriosis.

Those with a healthy immune system may have consumed listeria-infected products and not have felt anything at all. Those with a compromised immune system of some sort are usually likelier to be affected. Of the 15 deaths that have been linked to the bacteria in Canada so far, "many were the elderly, the majority of these people," said Robin.

Meat-manufacturing giant Maple Leaf has recalled over 220 products manufactured at its plant in Toronto, where the bacteria's spread began. "Maple Leaf is huge and they have a very good system," Robin said, recalling only one of its plants has had this problem. He expected the company to be able to rebuild its image eventually. "They'll be able to absorb it," Shick agreed, although he could imagine it hitting some hard times for a while.

Varvaro was less optimistic. "I think what will happen is the company will close down," he said, as the brand may have taken too much publicity damage. However, he expected they would eventually be able to rebuild under a different name, and it was the shareholders who would suffer.

Company shares fell roughly 25 per cent since Aug. 18 since news of the listeria outbreak at the Toronto plant came out, closing at $8.50 last Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.