FDA Warns Two Food Companies of Compliance Problems, Will Assess Reinspection Fees
The Food and Drug Administration warned two foreign food companies that it may refuse admission to some of their products after finding violations of FDA regulations. The agency sent warning letters to Grant's Smokehouse of the United Kingdom on July 8 (here), and Waterwheel Premium Foods of Australia on July 26 (formerly Philemon) (here). Because Grant’s violations were “materially related to food safety,” FDA said it’s going to charge the company’s U.S. agent for any required reinspection.
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FDA’s letter to Grant’s Smokehouse said labels for some of the company’s crackers violated FDA labeling requirements. FDA said the labels made false claims, including saying the crackers are “all natural” and contain cheddar cheese (despite only having cheddar cheese flavoring). Several terms for ingredients on the label were also wrong, the agency alleged. FDA threatened import alert and detention without physical examination for crackers.
The warning letter the agency sent to Grant’s alleged more serious violations. According to FDA, inspectors found violations of seafood hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) requirements. Those meet FDA’s definition of “materially related to food safety.” So not only did FDA threaten refusal of imports, but it also said the company would be liable for any fees associated with future reinspections to verify the problem is fixed. And any reinspection fees will be collected from the company’s U.S. agent, FDA said.