Foodstuff, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Retail

"We regularly perform independent tests in our chain. And microbiological contamination was discovered during one of such self-control tests in pork neck and ham from Biovela," Ernesta Dapkiene, director of the communication and corporate affairs department at Maxima, said in a statement on Saturday.

She told LETA/BNS on Friday that the sale of fresh meat and marinated products was halted amid suspicions of microbiological contamination with salmonella.

"Meat supplies have already been resumed in our store chain. Since we don’t accept meat from Biovela whose produce we suspect, we have asked other suppliers to increase volumes of their produce as much as possible. We offer our apology to customers for any inconvenience if they can’t find fresh meat and marinated products in all stores," Maxima said.

The State Food and Veterinary Service has been informed about the situation, with test results expected later this week.

The sale of meat and marinated products was on Friday halted only in stores in Lithuania. The chain operates 247 Maxima stores in Lithuania.

Jurgita Savickaite, spokeswoman for the State Food and Veterinary Service, told LETA/BNS on Friday it was carrying out an investigation into suspected microbiological contamination with salmonella, adding that preliminary test results might be received on Monday afternoon.