Feds Find Rodents, Insects at Virginia Food Facility

U.S. Marshals seized food products at Gourmet Provisions, LLC and Royal Cup, Inc., after U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigators found widespread and active rodent and insect infestation on the premise, FDA reports.
 
The FDA initiated seizures of food products manufactured by Gourmet Provisions, LLC and stored by the two companies on September 16, 2013, under warrants issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. 
 
During the most recent inspection, FDA investigators found widespread rodent and insect activity, unclean equipment, and structural defects. Effective measures had not been taken to exclude insects and rodents from the facility and to protect food products and food contact surfaces from contamination. 
 
“These companies have a responsibility for the safety and quality of their products,” said Melinda K. Plaisier, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.  “When firms do not uphold this responsibility, the FDA will take actions that demonstrate its commitment to assuring consumers that foods they buy are prepared, packaged, and held under sanitary conditions.”
 
Some of the seized goods had been under an embargo by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
 
The two businesses are located on the same premises in Waynesboro, Va.  Gourmet Provisions manufactures and packages ice cream cones and stores other finished food products in its warehouse.  Royal Cup stores coffee service items in a separate area within the Gourmet Provisions warehouse.  Gourmet Provisions does business as Matt’s Supreme Cones.

Source: FDA.gov