Arizona Hydroponic Farming, LLC – FDA Warning Letter, Oct 26, 2012

The FDA conducted inspections of Arizona Hydroponic Farming, LLC's sprout growing facility in Eloy, AZ, on September 18-20, September 28-October 03, and October 23-26, 2012. During the September 20, 2012, inspection, finished alfalfa sprouts and spent irrigation water samples tested positive for *Salmonella Cubana*. This led to the sprouts being deemed adulterated under section 402(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).

Further epidemiological and traceback investigations, in cooperation with affected states and the CDC, linked Arizona Hydroponic Farming brand alfalfa sprouts to a *Salmonella Cubana* outbreak that sickened approximately 14 people in three states between July 30 and October 25, 2012.

Subsequent inspections on October 03 and October 26, 2012, documented insanitary conditions, leading to the sprouts being further deemed adulterated under Section 402(a)(4) of the Act. Observed insanitary conditions included: * Standing water (2-3 inches) in the sprout growing room, posing a splash contamination risk. * Uncovered, dirty, green water tub on the roof for evaporative coolers, with birds present, potentially contaminating sprouts via mist. * Animal excrement near