FDA EIR - Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. - February 14, 2018

An FDA inspection of Taylor Farms California, Inc. in Yuma, AZ, was conducted from February 13-14, 2018, under the Domestic Food Safety program (Compliance Program 7303.803). The company produces ready-to-eat bagged salads and cut vegetables. The primary violation, documented on a Form FDA-483, concerned equipment and utensils not being adequately designed or maintained to protect against contamination. Specifically, tape and tape residue were found on bagger machine rollers in "high hygiene" areas, contacting the food-contact side of packaging. This was a repeat observation, citing regulatory framework 21 CFR 117.40.

Management promptly addressed the observation by removing the tape and developing new Standard Operating Procedures for proper packaging material connection and updating sanitation procedures to include checks for tape. The Vice President of Operations committed to submitting a written response to the FDA within 15 business days. Additionally, three discussion items were noted: chipping safety paint on a metal post, inadequate warm water and short run-times for handwashing sinks in an employee bathroom, and persistent gaps in shipping doors of the finished product storage area. Management committed to correcting these additional deficiencies.