The weekly warning letters covered everything from misbranded products, to illegal drug residues in beef, and violations of acidified food regulations.
Four companies were notified to correct issues related to labeling.
Chlodnia Grudziadz, an importer of Polish foods, was told that three of its packaged frozen food products were misbranded in that they failed to declare a major allergen (milk) on the label. The products were instead labeled to include “cream,” which is not sufficient for highlighting the risk of milk as an allergen, FDA stated.
Furthermore, the company’s package branding uses two languages, English and Polish, but it does not repeat all of FDA’s required information in English. The labeling also does not present nutritional facts in the correct formatting, the agency stated.
Another company facing problems with labeling is Raymond-Hadley Corp. of Spencer, NY. Several of the company’s products fail to specify two other major allergens (soy and wheat), according to FDA.
The company sells Pride of Africa brand Semo “Semolina,” Pride of Africa brand Enriched Farina, and New Hope Mills Gluten Free Chia Pancake & Waffle Mix — all of which are missing information about containing soy, wheat, or both, the warning letter stated.
Mikakuto Co. Ltd., an importer from Japan, also failed to declare milk as an allergen on one of its candy products, “Uha Puccho Stick Nama Musca.” The company additionally failed to correctly format nutritional facts on four of its candy products, FDA stated.
Meanwhile, Laughing Giraffe Organics of Lafayette, CA, was warned that its Pineapple Snakaroon product is misbranded to the effect that its label makes nutritional claims that are not substantiated. Specifically, the label claims that the product is “nutrient-rich,” “high in fiber,” and “a great source of healthy fats,” none of which are claims the product is qualified to use, the agency noted.
In other matters, McFarlin Cattle of Terrell, TX, received a warning letter for selling a steer for slaughter with excessive levels of drug residue. Tissue samples from the animal tested for an animal drug (florfenicol) at above FDA’s tolerance level, according to the letter.
Ostrea d.o.o., a Croatian seafood processor applying to import products to the U.S., failed to establish a seafood hazards analysis and critical control points plan (HACCP) for a number of its fish products, FDA stated. All seafood importers must have a plan that, at a minimum, lists all the critical limits in its process for eliminating the threat of foodborne pathogens.
Finally, GAEA Products S.A., an acidified food importer in Greece, received a notice about its lack of documenting processes that assure proper safety precautions.
In each letter, FDA requested that the companies provide written responses detailing steps taken to bring the facilities into compliance with food-safety laws and regulations, to correct violations cited in the letters, and to prevent their recurrence.
Recipients of these warning letters have 15 working days from receipt to outline specific steps they have taken to come into compliance with the law.
