Personal Injury Law

FDA 483 Inspection Report Sinks SanGar - Multiple Problems and Positive Tests Results in Texas Plant Likely Cause of Celery Listeria Outbreak

By Bill Marler, Esq.

For a Company that sells (or used to sell) vegetables to our kids and grandparents, the below is not a good FDA 483 Inspection Report.  This of course also follows positive Listeria tests within the plant and the linking of SanGar celery to nearly a dozen illnesses and as many as five deaths.

Observation 1. Failure to take necessary precautions to protect against contamination of food and food contact surfaces with microorganisms.

Observation 2. Failure to conduct cleaning and sanitizing operations for utensils and equipment in a manner that protects against contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, and food-packaging materials.

Observation 3. Employees did not wash hands thoroughly in an adequate hand-washing facility at any time their hands may have become soiled or contaminated.

Observation 4. Personnel with adverse health conditions are not instructed to report to their supervisors.

Observation 5. Failure to clean food-contact surfaces and utensils as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination of food.

Observation 6. Failure to take apart equipment as necessary to ensure thorough cleaning.

Observation 7. Failure to take effective measures to protect finished food from contamination by raw materials and refuse.

Observation 8. Failure to store raw materials in a manner that protects against contamination.

Observation 9. The design, construction, and use of equipment and utensils fails to preclude the adulteration of food with contaminants.

Observation 10. Failure to maintain equipment, containers, and utensils used to store food in a manner that protects against contamination.

Observation 11. Lack of adequate drainage of areas which may contribute to contamination of food by seepage, food-borne filth, and providing a breeding place for pests.

Observation 12. Failure to hold foods which can support the rapid growth of undesirable microorganisms at a temperature that prevents the food from becoming adulterated.

Observation 13. The plant is not constructed in such a manner as to allow floors and walls to be adequately cleaned and kept clean and kept in good repair.

Observation 14. Plumbing constitutes a source of contamination to food, water supplies, equipment, and utensils.

Observation 15. Failure to maintain buildings, fixtures, or other physical facilities in a sanitary condition.

Observation 16. Lack of a sanitary towel service or suitable hand drying devices.

Observation 17. Hand-washing facilities lack running water of a suitable temperature.

Observation 18. Failure to provide adequate screening or other protection against pests.

Observation 19. Appropriate training in food handling techniques and food protection principles has not been provided to food handlers.

Seriously, what school lunch room or retirement center is planning to stock product from this plant in the near future?  Tip o' the Pen to my good friends at www.efoodalert.blogspot.com and www.foodpoisonjournal.com.

Full post as published by Marler Blog on November 04, 2010 (boomark / email).