The FDA cited Vanlaw Food Products Inc. after three recalls over the course of 2022. This warning letter highlights the labeling violations and the implications of those violations. Far too often we see misbranding issues when it comes to allergen labeling, this can be problematic for companies not only from a logistical standpoint but from consumer trust as well. Let’s dive into the warning letter!
If we could pick some of the most common issues companies face when it comes to FDA inspections and recalls, failure to control allergens and label misbranding are often at the top of the list. For this week’s warning letter highlight we are going to look at Ben Heggy Candy Co. which received a warning letter after a company inspection in the spring of 2022. There were numerous violations mentioned but sifting through the letter and highlighting the labeling violations we wanted to highlight certain infractions we see far too often.
more “FDA States Ben Heggy Candy Company is Lacking Control”
The FDA conducted an inspection of Amazon’s website and found several violations regarding claims, branding, and illegal products in the marketplace, all of which is discussed in the Warning Letter released.
more “Amazon Warned for Distribution of Unapproved Products”
The FDA conducted an inspection of Young Livings’ website as well as several consultant’s social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) and found several violations in regard to claims, branding, and illegal products in the marketplace, all of which is discussed in the warning letter released.
more “Young Living Essential Oils Warned for Misbranding and Unapproved Drugs”
The FDA conducted an inspection at Medina’s Baking and Powder Products Inc. from August 31st, 2021 thru September 14th, 2021. The inspections focused mainly on the liquid flavors and found serious violations at the food manufacturing facility. The two main violations were around preventative control violations and misbranding, both of which is discussed in the warning letter released.
more “Medina’s Inc. Warned for Misbranding and Missing Allergens”
From October 25th,2021 Cedars Mediterranean Foods Inc. a ready-to-eat (RTE) food manufacturing facility was notified by a consignee of a misbranded product. The item in question, Cedar’s Organic Mediterranean Hommus, was labeled with the ingredient declaration for Organic Everything Hommus and a voluntary recall was initiated. The FDA determined that the recalled product was misbranded within the meaning of section 403(w) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 343(w)], in that the finished product labels did not declare a major food allergen–tree nuts (i.e., Pine Nut).
From September 13-15th, 2021 the FDA inspected a ready-to-eat (RTE) food manufacturing facility located in Iowa, called Picket Fence Creamery. The inspection resulted in the FDA issuing of a Warning Letter to the company. During inspection FDA investigators found that twelve ice creams and three cheese curds were misbranded by having undeclared ingredients, sub-ingredients, allergens, as well as many packaging errors.
From May 22nd – June 4th the FDA inspected a ready-to-eat (RTE) ice cream manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, called Sassy Cow Creamery. The inspection was initiated in response to a recall of mislabeled ice cream and resulted in the FDA issuing of a Warning Letter to the company. During inspection FDA investigators found numerous severe violations which led them to determine that the products manufactured at the facility were held in unsanitary conditions and were deemed adulterated.
From August 19-26th the FDA inspected a ready-to-eat (RTE) candies and snack food manufacturing facility located in Arizona, called Cerreta Candy Company. The inspection resulted in the FDA issuing of a Warning Letter to the company. During inspection FDA investigators found numerous severe violations which led them to determine that the products manufactured at the facility were adulterated. There were no labeling violations on this one, but the cGMP violations were numerous.
From July 9th– 17th the FDA inspected a fresh cut produce manufacturing facility located in Texas. The inspection resulted in the FDA issuing of a Warning Letter to the company. There were numerous severe violations. Although there were not labeling based issues, the violations in regards to cGMPs and PCs were numerous.