FDA Files Complaint Against Rel's Foods

WASHINGTONFDA has filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Rel's Foods Inc., Oakland, Calif., seeking to stop the company from manufacturing, producing and selling adulterated food products. Rel's prepares, processes, and distributes a variety of ready-to-eat sandwiches to convenience stores, deli markets, liquor stores, mini-marts, and gas stations in Nevada and California.

The complaint also names Rel's Vice President, Peder Scott Sorensen, and two managers, Patrick O'Malley and Timothy E. Ault.  

The complaint alleges that Rel's has an extensive history of operating under insanitary conditions, and states that Rel's has produced and distributed ready-to-eat sandwiches contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  

 Rel's lack of effective measures to bring its food processing operations into compliance with the law poses a serious public health threat, said Michael Chappell, the FDA's acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. The company's failure to comply with good manufacturing practice also demonstrates the potential for the company to continue to manufacture contaminated products.