The recall posted on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website for sandwiches for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination last month has been updated to include many more products. HQ Fine Foods is recalling several brands and types of sandwiches. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
You can see the long list of recalled products, along with the brand name, common name, size, codes, and UPC number, at the CFIA web site. The brand names include Best Value, Fresh and Local, Hygaard, Made to Go, Quality Fast Foods, and the Snack Co. The types of sandwiches recalled include Mini Pizza Subs, Our Super Pizza Sub, Superloaded Sub, Little John Sub, and Roast Beef Sub, among others. These sandwiches were sold nationally at the retail level.
If you bought any of these products, do not eat them. Throw them away in a sealed or double bagged package in a secure garbage can, or take them back to the place of purchase for a full refund. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling these sandwiches.
It’s important that you then clean out your refrigerator with a mild bleach solution if you stored the sandwiches there. This will kill any Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Use a solution of one tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Rinse the shelves, then dry them.
If you ate any of these products, watch yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. That’s how long it can take to get sick. Symptoms of this illness include stiff neck, high fever, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Pregnant women many only be mildly ill with symptoms that seem like the flu, but listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and infection in the newborn baby. If you do get sick, see your doctor and tell her that you ate these recalled products.
