The Swedish National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) has identified cold meats as the primary source for a recent outbreak of listeria in Sweden that has been connected to the deaths of up to 14 people since autumn 2013.

The agency plans to conduct a four-week intensive, on-site spot-inspection of all plants producing cold meats in Sweden this month and next to appraise what steps companies are taking to ensure listeria-free production areas.

More than 80 cases of the deadly bacteria have been detected in Sweden since September 2013, and 27 of these involved infections contracted from the same bacteria strain.

In the latest development, the Swedish supermarket chain Axfood recalled smoked ham and garlic salami meats after listeria was found in the Garant meat brand’s facility that produces cold cuts for supermarkets and delis. The recall includes both the 252 stores directly owned by Axfood and the 820 proprietor-run stores with which it co-operates under partnership agreements.