FDA EIR - BRAVO! LLC - May 28, 2014

An FDA inspection of BRAVO! LLC, a manufacturer of frozen raw pet food, was conducted from May 7 to May 28, 2014. The inspection was a follow-up to reports of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in its Beef Blend and Turkey Balance burger products, and was carried out under the FDA's Feed Contaminants Program. The inspection revealed several significant violations, resulting in a seven-item FDA Form 483.

Key issues identified included a failure to implement adequate precautions to prevent product contamination, evidenced by the confirmed Listeria findings. The company also failed to maintain sanitary hand washing facilities, with employees observed cleaning equipment in a hand sink. Potable water systems lacked proper backflow prevention, and critical food contact surfaces on equipment exhibited exposed porous metal and rough welds, posing cleaning challenges. Furthermore, floors in the smoking room and loading dock were in disrepair, allowing water accumulation and increasing cross-contamination risks. The firm also lacked written procedures for handling product complaints and recalls.

In response to the findings, BRAVO! LLC initiated a voluntary recall of affected pet food products. Management committed to correcting the observations, including retraining employees on proper sanitation, installing a dedicated equipment cleaning station, and addressing facility and equipment deficiencies. This inspection underscored the necessity for the company to enhance its sanitation and quality control practices to ensure pet food safety.