CORRECTED VERSION: INCLUDES CORRECTED PRODUCT CODE INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 2009

Triangle company recalls sandwiches because of Listeria

RALEIGH — Fisher-Rex Sandwich Co. is voluntarily recalling some of its pre-packaged sandwiches after tests by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in product samples, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today.

The products subject to recall will be identified by a seven-digit product code that begins with 01. Products with a five-digit product code are not subject to the recall.

The recalled products were distributed to convenience stores, gas stations and other retail stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. 

No illnesses related to the products have been reported.

“Consumers who have these products should throw them away,” Troxler said. “Our inspectors will be checking to be sure these products are pulled from store shelves.”

The NCDA&CS Food and Drug Protection Division found the bacteria during a routine inspection.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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