FDA Cracks Down on Ready-to-Eat Sandwich Maker

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to shut down a California-based maker of ready-to-eat sandwiches for continuing to operate in unsanitary conditions despite repeated warnings.

Federal prosecutors recently asked a court to grant a permanent injunction against Rel’s Foods Inc. of Oakland. The Department of Justice, acting at the direction of the FDA, filed its request this week in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

“Rel’s lack of effective measures to bring its food processing operations into compliance with the law poses a serious public health threat,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, according to an FDA press release. “The company’s failure to comply with good manufacturing practice also demonstrates the potential for the company to continue to manufacture contaminated products.”

Company Failed Past Inspections

The FDA says Rel’s has an “extensive history” of making food in filthy conditions. Since 2002, the company’s sandwiches have repeatedly tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a leading cause of food poisoning that can produce fatal infections particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. The type of bacteria also is blamed for causing miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Each year, an estimated 76 million Americans develop some form of food poisoning, including illnesses caused by Listeria. Salmonella and E. coli are other common forms of food poisoning that account for thousands of deaths each year.

Food poisoning victims often experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, the FDA said.

Sandwiches Sold in California, Nevada

Rel’s sells ready-to-eat sandwiches that are sold in convenience stores, delis, liquor stores, mini-marts, and gas stations throughout California and Nevada, the FDA said.

The FDA said past inspections of Rel’s manufacturing facility detected poor employee sanitation practices and improper cleaning of manufacturing equipment.

There have been no illnesses reported so far from Rel’s products, officials said.

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