Basic Food Flavors, Inc. – FDA 483, Mar 4, 2010

On February 12, 2010, the FDA initiated an inspection of Basic Food Flavors, Inc., a manufacturer of food products located at 3950 East Craig Road, North Las Vegas, NV. The inspection, which concluded on March 4, 2010, identified four observations related to manufacturing, sanitation, and facility maintenance.

Observation 1 noted a failure to manufacture, package, and store foods under conditions that minimize microbial growth and contamination. This was evidenced by Salmonella contamination in finished HVP product samples and on non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility, including the Grinding/Packing Room. The firm continued to use paste and powder products and manufacture HVP under the same conditions after initial Salmonella findings.

Observation 2 detailed a failure to properly clean and sanitize equipment. Disassembled equipment, including a Large Paste Mixer, Still outlet, filter screen, Belt Dryer conveying pipe, and a PVC overflow pipe, showed accumulation of food debris and dark brown liquid, despite being deemed "cleaned and ready" by the firm's Quality Assurance/Food Technologist.

Observation 3 cited the plant's construction, specifically cracks and crevices in the floor underneath and around paste mixers and shakers in the Grinding/Packing Room, preventing adequate cleaning and repair. Floor fractures and crevices were also observed along trench drains, with standing water nearby, and employee/forklift traffic in these areas and into the Grinding/Packing Room. Environmental samples