FDA Takes Action Against Cheese Manufacturer

Posted on January 16, 2010 in Business/Law, Consumer Goods, Health & Medicine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked a federal court to shut down a New Jersey cheese manufacturer that had an alleged history of operating under unsanitary conditions.

Recent inspections of the Passaic facility found cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Quesos Mi Pueblito and two of its officers, Felix Sanchez and Jesus Galvez. The injunction could stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations in full compliance with FDA food safety regulations.

“FDA’s work with federal and state partners to root out or remedy food manufacturers not compliant with food safety laws ensures safer foods get on our dinner tables,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.

Quesos Mi Pueblito manufactures and distributes a variety of soft, semi-soft and hard Mexican cheeses in grocery stores and supermarkets in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Caroline, Florida, Virginia and the District of Columbia.