A federal court has permanently enjoined Saranac Brand Foods of Saranac, Michigan from “preparing, processing, and distributing adulterated ready-to-eat foods,” according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The complaint was filed on November 29, 2018 at the request of the FDA, and the finding was entered today, Monday, December 3, 2018 by the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
The FDA alleges that Saranac Brand Foods violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by putting adulterated ready-to-eat foods into commerce. The company prepared and distributed about 35 foods, including dips, sauces, and salads such as spinach dip, macaroni salad, enchilada sauce, and coleslaw.
Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division said in a statement, “The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that processors and distributors of ready-to-eat food products comply with laws designed to protect consumers. The Department of Justice will continue to work with the FDA to ensure that consumers are protected from potentially unsafe food.”
The allegation is that analysis of environmental samples that were collected during “numerous inspections” of the company’s facility found a resident strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The facility was last inspected late last year.
The FDA’s inspectors established that the food was adulterated “in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health.” FDA collected environmental sub-samples that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and found that the flooring as in poor repair.
Saranac Brand Foods agreed to settle the complaint and be bound by the consent decree for permanent injunction.. Defendants represent that they have discontinued all operations related to receiving, preparing, processing, holding, or distributing any articles of food at or from their business location or any other location.
Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Melinda K. Plaisier said in a statement, “Taking steps to keep potentially unsafe food out of the U.S. food supply is a core responsibility of the FDA. When a company fails to follow current good manufacturing practices and processes food under insanitary conditions, the FDA will take action to protect the public health and safety of Americans.”
