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Sunday, April 14, 2019

TX 'Marketing' Company Recalls Sandwiches After FDA Tests Positive for Listeria

Great American Marketing Company of Houston, Texas is recalling Ready to Eat Sandwiches, Wraps and Salads after FDA tested and found Listeria monocytogenes on the processing equipment.  Recalls were released on both FDA and USDA websites since this was a dual jurisdiction facility.

These sandwiches appear to be sporting a shelf-life of at least 10 to 12 days based upon the date of recall to the last day that product was shipped.  This would provide sufficient time for Listeria growth at refrigeration temperatures.  (You wonder if people know they are buying / eating a 10 day old sandwich....perhaps the manufacturer is a great marketing company.)

Great American Marketing Company Recalls Ready To Eat Products Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2019

Contact
Consumers Bill Welch. 713-682-6471
Announcement
View Product Photos

Great American Marketing Company of Houston, Texas is recalling Ready to Eat Sandwiches, Wraps and Salads because they have the potential to be contaminated with LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and 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 still births among pregnant women.

These recalled RTE products include the following: CAESAR SALAD, CHEF SALAD, CLUB WRAP, CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP, DELI CUT HAM AND AMERICAN, DELI CUT TURKEY, CHICKEN SALAD, JALAPENO PIMENTO CHEESE, ITALIAN 6" SUB, TURKEY PEPPER JACK 6" SUB, TURKEY AND SWISS, HAM AND CHEDDAR SANDWICH, are distributed in Texas and sold in Valero Corner Stores/Circle K Stores under Corner Store Market Label in different packaging shapes and sizes with the following: LOT NUMBERS (SELL BY DATE): 040819, 040919, 041119, 041319, 041419, 041519, 041619, 041819 and 042019. SAMPLE LABEL AND SELL BY DATE BELOW:

SELL BY
042019

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. This recall is made in abundance of precaution.

The potential for contamination was noted after testing by FDA revealed the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in the production line equipment.

The production of these products has been suspended while FDA, USDA and the Company continue to remediate the production line and investigate the source of the problem.

Consumers who may have purchased any of the products with the lot numbers mentioned are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 713-682-6471 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM CDT.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-044-2019-release
Great American Marketing Co. Recalls Meat and Poultry Wrap and Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
Class I Recall
044-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 9, 2019
En EspaƱol
Congressional and Public Affairs. Benjamin A. Bell  (202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2019 – Great American Marketing, Inc., a Houston, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 3,329 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry wrap and salad products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat wrap and salad meat and poultry products were produced on various dates from March 27, 2019 through April 8, 2019. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]

9.25-oz. plastic sealed cartons containing “corner store market CAESAR SALAD WITH GRILLED CHICKEN & CAESAR DRESSING” with sell by dates of 04/09/19 through 04/15/19.
10.25-oz. plastic sealed cartons containing “corner store market CHEF SALAD TURKEY, HAM & CHEESE, WITH RANCH DRESSING” with sell by dates of 04/09/19 through 04/15/19.
8.1-oz. plastic sealed cartons containing “corner store market CLUB WRAP Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef, Bacon Bits & Cheese” with sell by dates of 04/08/18 through 4/20/19.
7.4-oz. plastic sealed carton containing “corner store market CHICKEN CAESAR WRAP Chicken Strips & Cheese with Caesar Dressing” with sell by dates of 04/08/18 through 4/20/19.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 31680” or “P-31680” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Texas.

The problem was discovered when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified FSIS that routine testing of a shared FSIS and FDA processing area within the establishment, was confirmed positive for the presence of L. monocytogenes. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that this product might be in some consumers’ refrigerators.  Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Bill Welch, Vice President of Operations, Great American Marketing, Inc., at (713) 682-6471.

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