Bravo Packing, Inc. – FDA EIR, Apr 2, 2013

Bravo Packing, Inc. underwent an FDA Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance inspection on April 2, 2013, at its Carneys Point, NJ facility. This inspection, conducted under Compliance Program 7371.009 (BSE Inspection Program/Ruminant Feed Ban Rule), aimed to ensure compliance for a renderer and manufacturer of animal meat products. Investigators Carol Perry and Michael Rosner noted no deviations regarding the firm's product receipts or adherence to the FDA BSE Checklist, including proper labeling for ruminant feed restrictions.

However, discussions with President Joseph Merola during the closeout meeting highlighted two areas for improvement. First, the firm used well water for facility cleaning without regular testing, although it was confirmed not to be used in product processing. Second, the company's records and receipts were not organized efficiently, which complicated the inspection process.

In response to these findings, Mr. Merola committed to addressing the issues. He stated he would contact the well maintenance company regarding water testing. For record-keeping, he indicated that his successor, Amanda Lloyd, was assuming responsibility for sales and receipts and would ensure better organization for future reviews. The inspection was limited to a summary of findings, with no formal violations noted.