Crack Down on Listeria at Rel's Sandwich Maker
The federal government has taken court action to shut down an Oakland sandwich maker for running a filthy plant that has repeatedly been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous pathogen most likely to hurt young children, older adults and pregnant women.
In conjunction with the enforcement action at Rel's Foods Inc., which sells its ready-to-eat sandwiches to convenience stores, delis, gas stations, liquor stores and other small retail outlets in California and Nevada, the California Department of Public Health has embargoed and seized all products inside the plant.
The permanent injunction filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA requests a permanent injunction against Rel's to stop the company from selling adulterated food.
Tests have found Listeria "numerous times'' at the plant since 2002 and recently the infectious bacteria was found in sandwiches. A press release from the FDA said Rel's has an "extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions.''
Named in the injunction request are owner Peder Scott Sorensen and two managers, Patrick O'Malley and Timothy Ault.
Conditions at the plant include poor sanitation by workers, excessive condensation dripping on food-making surfaces and repeated violations of current good manufacturing requirements.
“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, FDA's acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.
Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can cause fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, including cancer patients. Most likely to get the disease are pregnant women, who may suffer miscarriages or stillbirths as a result of the infection.
No illnesses have been reported, but if you or anyone you know has fallen sick and you have reason to believe it's from a Rel's sandwich, see a physician immediately. To protect your legal rights, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free).
Our firm has years of experience as a leading advocate for victims of food poisoning and we represent individuals sickened by Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and other infectious disease agents found in contaminated food. For a free case consultation, complete our online Listeria compensation and contact form.
