FDA seeks permanent injunction against cheese manufacturer for failure to correct violations despite federal & state warnings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked a federal court to prevent Mexicali Cheese, a New York cheese manufacturer, from continuing to operate because of a history of unsanitary conditions and producing cheese in a facility contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

According to a complaint for permanent injunction filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Mexicali Cheese of Woodhaven, N.Y., and two of its officers, Edinson Vergara and Claudia Marin, produced cheese under persistent unsanitary conditions that contributed to widespread Listeria monocytogenes contamination in Mexicali Cheese’s facility.

On October 27, 2011 the FDA issued a detailed Warning Letter to Mexicali Cheese, citing 10 violations  for preparing, packing, or holding food under insanitary conditions.  Prior to the FDA’s Warning Letter, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services issued a recall when they found similar unsanitary conditions in addition to product contamination.

Mexicali Cheese makes and distributes a variety of soft Mexican cheeses to grocery stores and supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mexicali Cheese’s products include queso fresco [fresh cheese], queso oaxaca [Oaxacan cheese] and queso para freir [cheese for frying].

If entered by the court, the injunction would stop the company and its officers from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations into full compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA food safety regulations.

“FDA filed this complaint to protect the health of consumers,” said Dara A. Corrigan, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Working closely with New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets, we took this step to ensure that consumers do not eat potentially dangerous foods from this company.”

For assistance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), food facility regulations and other FDA regulations affecting the preparing, packing, or holding of food, contact Ann Marie Gaitan, Esq., our FDA law practice group leader.