FDA WARNING_LETTER - R & D Ranch - December 13, 2012

On January 25, 2013, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Ray F. Christie, owner of R & D Ranch, following an investigation of his calf buying operation conducted on December 10, 12, and 13, 2012. The investigation revealed that seven animals offered for slaughter as food were adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(2)(C)(ii), due to unsafe new animal drug residues.

Specifically, four bob veal calves sold for slaughter on September 10, September 13, October 15, and October 25, 2012, contained neomycin residues in kidney tissue exceeding the 7.2 ppm tolerance (21 C.F.R. 556.430). Levels detected were 8.11 ppm, 10.21 ppm, 24.38 ppm, and 24.38 ppm, respectively. The calf sold on October 25, 2012, also contained oxytetracycline at 2.24 ppm in muscle tissue, exceeding the 2 ppm tolerance (21 C.F.R. 556.500).

The FDA requires prompt corrective action to