FDA 483 - Taylor Farms Colorado, Inc. - November 12, 2024

During an FDA inspection conducted from October 28 to November 12, 2024, Taylor Farms Colorado, Inc., a manufacturer of ready-to-eat (RTE) produce in Colorado Springs, CO, received a Form FDA 483 citing significant issues. The observations highlight critical deficiencies in their sanitation preventive controls, monitoring, corrective actions, and verification procedures, indicating a failure to minimize food contamination risks.

Inspectors noted that the firm’s hazard analysis for RTE slivered onions failed to identify recontamination by environmental pathogens as a preventive control. Multiple instances of Listeria spp. were detected on non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility over time, revealing a persistent sanitation problem exacerbated by pooling water. The company’s corrective actions for these findings were inadequate and not consistently followed, with retesting delays. Verification methods were also insufficient, relying on general cleanliness tests instead of pathogen-specific identification.

Further observations detailed unsanitary conditions, including apparent biofilm and food debris on equipment after cleaning, with pre-operation inspections erroneously marked as "Pass." Employee hygiene was a major concern; staff were observed only sanitizing gloved hands instead of washing and re-gloving after touching insanitary surfaces. Damaged equipment with trapped food debris and the improper use of sanitizing solutions, such as applying high-concentration sanitizer directly to RTE produce without air drying, further compounded contamination risks. Additionally, critical sanitation monitoring and verification records were missing, and the firm used an unverified mixture of chemicals for cleaning without proper documentation. Taylor Farms Colorado is required to address these serious observations to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.