Peregrina Cheese Corp. – FDA 483, Dec 21, 2007

On December 21, 2007, the FDA issued a Form 483 to Peregrina Cheese Company, a cheese manufacturer located at 342 TenEyck Street, Brooklyn, NY. The inspection, conducted from December 18-21, 2007, identified three observations.

Observation 1 noted that all reasonable precautions were not taken to prevent contamination from production procedures. Specifically, on December 19, 2007, an employee was observed washing the floor and a hydraulic compressor with a hose while cheese was being pressed in the compressor. Additionally, a female employee was forming Queso Fresco without protective forearm sleeve covers, and employees were rinsing utensils used for mixing pasteurized milk at the handwashing sink.

Observation 2 cited the failure to wear beard covers effectively. On December 19, 2007, one male employee with a mustache was grating Cotija Cheese without a beard cover, and two male employees with mustaches and beards were processing hard cheese (Queso Hebra) without beard covers.

Observation 3 indicated that employees failed to remove unsecured jewelry or other objects that might fall into food. On December 19, 2007, a female employee was observed wearing earrings and lip jewelry while packaging flan in the walk-in refrigerator.