Sandwich recall expanded with 50 more varieties of products for Listeria risk

Lipari Foods has expanded its recall of sandwiches, adding more than 50 varieties to the list, because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The sandwiches were distributed in 15 states.

All Premo and Fresh Grab sandwiches with best-by dates through Feb. 6 are now included in the recall, according to the company’s notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration. 

Lipari reports it began shipping the implicated sandwiches on Dec. 20, 2019. The company started recalling sandwiches on Jan. 6 and expanded the recall Jan. 13.

There is concern that consumers may have unused sandwiches. Anyone with any of the sandwiches is urged to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. A supplier notified Lipari of the contamination issue.

“This recall was brought to our attention by JLM, who is further expanding their recent recall to include additional sandwiches with additional Best Buy dates due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. The company has ceased production at the producing facility while continuing to work in close collaboration with the FDA to further investigate the issue. No illnesses have been reported to date in relation to this recall,” according to the recall notice.

Lipari reported distributing the sandwiches to food service and retail stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Consumers with questions should call customer service at 800-729-3354.

Following is a list of the sandwiches in the expanded recall notice. Photos of the products are available on the FDA website.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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