Gerrity's Supermarket in Hanover Twp. lost thousands of dollars in product on Wednesday in what's hoped to be only a "very twisted prank."

A post signed by co-owner Joe Fasula on Gerrity's Facebook page Wednesday night detailed an incident that affected multiple areas of the grocery store. According to the post, a woman entered the store and intentionally coughed on produce and around the bakery and meat case.

Gerrity's responded by working with a health inspector to identify every area the woman approached, throw out each item she contacted and clean and disinfect the store, Fasula wrote. A total loss had not been quantified by the time of the post, but it was approximated to exceed $35,000. Fasula wrote that Gerrity's is checking if it is covered by insurance, though its rate "will surely go up next year" regardless.

"I am also absolutely sick to my stomach about the loss of food," the post continued. "While it is always a shame when food is wasted, in these times when so many are worried about the security of our food supply, it is even more disturbing."

Fasula went on to write that his staff removed the woman from the store as quickly as possible, and that police were contacted immediately. While there isn't a belief the woman is infected, he added, authorities "will make every effort to see that she is tested."

"While there is little doubt this woman was doing it as a very twisted prank," Fasula wrote, "we will not take any chances with the health and well-being of our customers."

Fasula concluded the post by thanking his staff, as upwards of 15 employees helped resolve the situation — including some who stayed late or even came in on a day off. Five pictures showed bare shelves inside the store as produce filled up multiple grocery carts.

Within the first hour of the post Wednesday night, 785 comments and nearly 2,000 reactions were left by users.