A North Carolina company that produces packaged sandwiches for vending type operations is recalling a wide variety of sandwiches after NC State found sample(s) to be positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Ready-to-eat sandwiches like this normally have a short shelf life, and have not been subject to recalls, although these types of items can certainly be a vehicle. Sanitation control in the processing environment is critical for controlling in order to prevent contamination, especially equipment like meat slicers, ingredient refrigerated storage, and cutting boards.
UPDATE 10/23/2014
The company decided to shut down the facility, laying off 84 employees.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm418645.htm
Sunburst Foods Recalls Products Because Of Possible Health Risk
Contact: Consumer: 919-778-2151
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2014 - SunBurst Foods, Goldsboro NC is voluntarily recalling all of its SunBurst, Fresh Bites and Private labeled products which are currently in the market because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
All codes, all sell-by dates and sizes of the following brands are being recalled:
SunBurst
Fresh Bites
Private label products are identifed by the following brand names: River Edge Farms, CFW, Southern Zest, CJ’s Vending, Binford Street Deli, Middle Georgia Vendors, Roanoke Foods, Select Foods, and Jesse Jones (Double Chili Dogs)
The products being recalled were sold in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
This recall was initiated as a result of sampling and testing performed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
To date, SunBurst is unaware of any illnesses related to these products.
Products not manufactured but distributed by SunBurst such as cakes, burritos, and chips are not part of this recall.
Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to destroy them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company between 8AM and 5PM EST at 1-919-778-2151.
WCTI Channel 12 News
http://www.wcti12.com/news/listeria-outbreak-closes-enc-food-distributor/29266316
Listeria outbreak closes ENC food distributor
By Leland Pinder
POSTED: 8:24 PM Oct 21 2014 UPDATED: 9:31 AM Oct 22 2014
VANCEBORO, CRAVEN COUNTY -
An Eastern North Carolina food distributor has closed its doors following a voluntary recall of all its food products. The company's headquarters is in Goldsboro with distribution centers Vanceboro and Salisbury, near Charlotte. Eighty-four people, company-wide, are out of a job.
Last week, the FDA issued a press release detailing Sunburst Foods voluntary recall of their products for possible listeria contamination. To see the complete list of all products and brands click here.
Sunburst distributes pre-packaged cold snacks and other food items, like deli sandwiches which could be found in grocery and convenient store freezers across Eastern North Carolina.
"Our biggest concern with Listeria is with ready-to-eat foods," said Keith Jernigan, Environmental Health Supervisor with the Craven County Health Department. It can actually grow in a cold environment."
Officials with Sunburst would not give specific locations or a time frame in which the contaminated foods were distributed. We asked why officials decided to shut down instead of just fixing the problem.
"We determined that it was just in the best interest to shut down," was the response given by Melanie Skinner, Human Resources Manager for the company.
Health officials say pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are most vulnerable to infection from Listeria but if anyone thinks they may have been a consumer of Sunburst products, health officials say to see your physician and let them know you're concerned.
Symptoms to look out for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches. No illnesses have been reported at this time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Listeria is most often transmitted through contaminated food. It can also be found in soil and water. The most common foods to carry listeria are uncooked meats and vegetables, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and processed meat and seafood. Listeria bacteria are killed by cooking and pasteurization.
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