The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Rel’s Foods Inc. of Oakland, CA in an effort to stop the company from manufacturing and distributing adulterated food products, according to an FDA press release.
Rel’s prepares ready-to-eat sandwiches for convenience stores, deli markets, liquor stores, and mini-marts in Nevada and California.
The complaint, which lists several individuals in the company, including the Vice President and two managers, alleges that Rel’s has an “extensive history of operating under insanitary condition,” according to the release.
The FDA claims that the company has distributed sandwiches with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The pathogen is extremely risky for pregnant women as the resulting infection can cause miscarriages or stillbirths.
No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers can contact their district consumer complaint offices if they have problems with any FDA-regulated products.
