Tainted Tuna Salad Sandwiches Seized

Posted on August 13, 2009 in Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine

Think twice before choosing tuna: health officials seized $72,000 in tuna salad sandwiches and other food products from a sandwich company in Baton Rouge, La. The action was taken at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, who said that filthy conditions may have made foods dangerous to public health.

Bearden Sandwich Company, doing business as the Southern Belle Sandwich Company, held items in unsanitary conditions that may have led to contamination. Inspectors found evidence of rodent and insect infestation at the company’s facility. The tuna salad sandwiches were processed in a manner that violated seafood regulation.

According to the report, employees didn’t follow safety protocol by allowing food-processing tools to lie on the floor near live insects.

The company distributes products to convenience and retail stores in southern Louisiana, Mobile, Ala., Montgomery, Ala. and Crestview, Fla. The FDA hasn’t received any reports of illnesses, but they are advising consumers to dispose of the products in a safe manner and wash their hands thoroughly after handling the tainted items.