FDA WARNING_LETTER - Garnett Livestock - March 18, 2015

On March 17-18, 2015, the FDA investigated Garnett Livestock, Inc.'s cattle operation in Hereford, Texas, identifying violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The primary violation involved the sale of an adulterated animal for slaughter. On December 7, 2014, an animal with ear tag (b)(4) was sold for slaughter, and USDA/FSIS analysis found 0.46 ppm of desfuroylceftiofur (ceftiofur marker residue) in its kidney. This exceeds the FDA tolerance of 0.4 ppm (21 C.F.R 556.113), rendering the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the FD&C Act.

Additionally, the firm held animals under insanitary conditions, likely allowing medicated animals with harmful drug residues into the food supply, violating section 402(a)(4) of the FD&C Act. Specifically, the firm failed to inquire about the medication status of 40 animals purchased on December 3, 2014, including the steer with ear tag (b)(4), prior to selling them for human consumption.

The firm's March 18, 2015, response was deemed inadequate as it did not specify the frequency of supplier agreement signings or how compliance would