The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered Sun Valley Juice Company of Ketchum, Idaho to stop "receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding, and distributing juice" until the agency determines that the company is in compliance with food safety laws and regulations. The company has been sent a letter ordering it to cease operations within five days. The company has compiled. Several attempts were made to help the company comply with regulations before it was shut down. In 2006, a court-ordered agreement, called a consent decree, was signed by a federal judge. That agreement, between the FDA and Sun Valley Juice Company, stated that the company would establish and implement a hazard prevention plan. But FDA investigators have found the company has been out of compliance … [Read more...]
L.A. Star Seafood Company Ordered to Close Down
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against L.A. Star Seafood Company of Los Angeles and its corporate officers. The company was producing adulterated seafood products. The complaint alleges that the sanitation practices at the facility were deficient. Acting Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer said, "the failure to actively plan for and control the presence of bacteria and neurotoxins commonly found in seafood processing facilities can pose a serious risk to the public health." FDA inspections in 2013 and 2014 documented a pattern of insanitary conditions. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria were found at the facility. Workers at the facility did not adequately clean surfaces and utensils for … [Read more...]
FDA Closes Jensen’s Old Fashioned Smokehouse
The FDA has closed Jensen's Old Fashioned Smokehouse in Seattle, Washington, after environmental samples confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the facility. Inspectors found the pathogenic bacteria in food processing and storage areas. The facility is subject to a consent decree of permanent injunction that was entered in 2001. Under that decree, the company "agreed to comply with requirements to control food safety hazards and ensure that its products are not adulterated." To resume production, Jensen's must meet several requirements, including cleaning and sanitizing the facility and hiring an expert to develop a Sanitation Standard Operation Procedure, along with an environmental monitoring program for Listeria. In addition, the company must test samples of all … [Read more...]
FDA Granted Decree of Permanent Junction Against T&T Cattle
A federal judge has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Gregory T. Troost, doing business as T&T Cattle and T&T Cattle Pearl, along with manager Mark Mourton, for violations including illegally administering animal drugs for uses not approved by the FDA. Inspections in January 2002, January 2006, September 2010, and October through November 2012 found that the facility had violated several provisions of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act. Specifically, the defendants offered for slaughter seven dairy cows with illegal levels of drug residues. Cows had tissues that tested positive for elevated levels of penicillin and sulfadimethoxine. People can have severe adverse reactions to those drugs even at very low levels and the drugs can harm those sensitive … [Read more...]
Consent Decree Issued Against Vermont Dairy Farm
The FDA has announced that the District Court for Vermont has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Lawson Farm of Irasburg, Vermont for selling cows and bull calves for human food that contain illegal drug residues. The decree prevents the farm and its owners from purchasing or selling animals for use as food unless and until they take action to assure that animals with illegal drug residues do not enter teh food supply. The defendants must also maintain written records to identify which animals have been medicated and maintain a drug inventory. The FDA has sent warning letters to the farm for similar violations. The letter states that dairy cows had high levels of penicillin in the edible tissues of cattle. The farm also "held animals under conditions that are so … [Read more...]
FDA Warning About Juices Incorporated Products
The FDA has released a statement warning consumers about products made by Juices Incorporated that may contain Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The company has been shut down since June 21, 2012, but they continue to manufacture and distribute juice products in violation of the Consent Decree and the Court's Order to Enforce Consent Decree. On October 7, 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction against the owners of Juices Incorporated after FDA inspections found continuing violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act at their facility. A Consent Decree was issued on January 3, 2011 and U.S. District Court Judge Sandra L. Townes issued an Order to Enforce Consent Decree after the owners of Juices Incorporated failed to comply. The … [Read more...]
Butterfly Bakery Closed for Unlawfully Distributing Misbranded Products
Butterfly Bakery in Clifton New Jersey has been closed under a consent decree for permanent injunction. The bakery unlawfully distributed misbranded foods as "sugar free", such as muffins and snack cakes. The decree was signed on March 5, 2013 by Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh. Under the decree, the FDA may assess damages against the company for future violations. Melinda K. Plaisier, the FDA's acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, said in a statement, "this injunction demonstrates that the FDA will seek enforcement action against companies that mislead consumers on the products they purchase. Until Butterfly Bakery meets FDA regulations, it will no longer be able to process or distribute their products." Product samples from the facility obtained and tested by the FDA and … [Read more...]
U Joo Foods Enters into Consent Decree with FDA
U Joo Foods, a Chicago sprout grower and processor have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction with the FDA. The company and its owner are "prohibited from processing and distributing food until they demonstrate to the FDA that the facility and processing equipment are suitable to prevent contamination in the food that they process, prepare, store, and handle. In addition, they must routinely test the water where the sprouts are grown for evidence of contamination." Sprouts are more likely to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria because of the way they are grown. In the fields, animals and birds can come into contact with the plants. In fact, many sprout seeds encapsulate bacteria as they grow. Then, when they are sprouted in warm, moist environments, bacteria can … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Correction on Green Hope Consent Decree
Two days after releasing a statement about a consent decree of permanent injunction against Green Hope LLC (dab Rosewood Products), the FDA issued a correction. It states "FDA has determined that Rosewood Products is operating in compliance with the Act and FDA food safety regulations, and on January 28, 2013, FDA notified Rosewood that it could continue receiving, processing, manufacturing, preparing, packing, holding, or distributing food at its facilities." Green Day was not required to shut down operations. The letter sent to owner Gary G. Ye from the FDA confirmed that the manufacturer of organic tofu and soy milk was complying with provisions of the decree and all FDA regulations. The facility is going to be under surveillance and could be shut down if the company violates food … [Read more...]
Green Hope Subject to Permanent Injunction for Violations of Food Safety Regulations
Green Hope LLC, doing business as Rosewood Products in Michigan has agreed to a consent decree of permanent injunction for violations of FDA food safety regulations. The decree was signed by Judge David M. Lawson in the Eastern District of Michigan on January 28, 2013. The company was sent a Warning Letter on May 6, 2011 informing them of the problems found by FDA inspectors. The company makes and distributes organic tofu, soy milk, and other products. FDA inspections of the facility found many violations involving insanitary conditions. FDA inspectors found that the company employees did not follow hygienic practices while on duty. One employee used his mouth to siphon liquid through a plastic hose from a kettle containing ready to eat tofu. Employees also handled tofu with bare, … [Read more...]
