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Tuna & Hummus Makers Get Warnings from FDA

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

An Oregon seafood processing facility and a California food manufacturing company recently received warning letters from FDA.
Napoleon Deli, located in Gladstone, OR, was warned about its tuna fish sandwiches not being under a viable seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.
In an Aug. 13 warning letter, FDA said Napoleon Deli's plan for its tuna fish sandwiches in oxygen-impermeable packing does not control histamine formation, pathogen growth and toxin formation including Clostridium botulinum toxin formation.
FDA says botulism is a reasonably likely hazard in some packaging.  "These materials are considered oxygen-impermeable, and can create anaerobic conditions that allow for C. botulinum growth and toxin formation," the warning letter says.
FDA recommended strict temperature controls to control C. botulinum growth and toxin formation.
In addition, FDA said Napoleon Deli was not monitoring water safety; keeping food contact surfaces clean, and was not properly storing and using toxic chemicals. The company needs to keep better sanitation control records, FDA said.
In a Sept. 2 warning letter, Quong Hop & Co., based in South San Francisco, learned that environmental samples taken from its food manufacturing facility were positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Quong Hop & Co. manufacturers Raquel's Hummus & Dip Spicy Hummus.
"It is essential that you identify all areas of your facility where L. Monocytogenes is able to grow and survive (niche areas) and take such corrective actions as necessary to control the organism," the warning letter said.
"FDA recommends that your sanitation controls include effective environmental monitoring programs designed to identify and eliminate and/or control pathogens such as L. monocytogenes in and on surfaces and areas in the facility where contamination could result in food production contamination.
During its investigation, FDA also found mold on walls near a fan in the tofu processing room, food residue in equipment, and observed employees eating and drinking while working in food process areas.
Napoleon Deli and Quong Hop & Co. were each given 15 working days to respond to the warning letters.
 

Full post as published by Food Safety News on September 08, 2010 (boomark / email).