Grand Strand Sandwich Company is recalling Lunch Box Italian Subs, Lunch Box Ham & Swiss Croissants and Lunch Box Ham & Cheese Frozen Wedges for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been associated with these recalled items to date.
On January 3, 2019 the firm was notified by the FDA that swabs public health officials collected from the company’s meat slicing areas on December 11, 2018 tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
The recalled items are Italian Subs sold in 7 ounce packages, with UPC number 0 67068 12222 8 and Julian date 35218; Ham & Swiss Croissants in 5 ounce packages with UPC number 0 67068 21217 2 and Julian Date 34618; and Ham & Cheese, sold in 4,.5 ounce packages with UPC number 0 67068 12110 8 and Julian Date 34618. They were sold between December 17, 2018 and January 4, 2019. The products are packaged in clear plastic and sold mostly in convenience stores and vending machines in North Carolina and South Carolina.
If you bought these sandwiches, don’t eat them. Throw them away in a secure garbage can, or return them to the place of purchase.
It’s a good idea to then clean out your fridge or freezer with a mild bleach solution to kill any bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can survive at temperatures below 40°F and freezing doesn’t kill it. Once established, this bacteria can be difficult to eradicate.
The symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, can take up to 70 days to appear. Symptoms include stiff neck, muscle aches, high fever, severe headache, and diarrhea. Pregnant women may only be mildly ill, but this illness can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and infection in the newborn. If you ate these sandwiches and have been ill, call your doctor.
