Occasionally, a new product is discovered after a simple mistake. Just like penicillin was the end result of a messy lab bench, Seltzer's Double-Smoked Sweet Lebanon Bologna came about after an error in a smokehouse.

Stores that used to carry little more than ham, turkey breast and roast beef now include deli specialties like coppa, prosciutto and ‘nduja – European delicacies that have found new popularity in the U.S.

The American Cured Meat Championships featured more than 650 entries this year, from some of the most renowned small meat processors in the country.

As the deli steadily evolves, prepared proteins are becoming increasingly prominent as operators focus on becoming more formidable competitors of restaurants, he notes.

As recently described in its 2017-22 five-year Strategic Plan, FSIS has announced it will begin to intensify inspections of retail delis as part of its new enforcement initiatives.