FDA WARNING_LETTER - Barcelona Nut Company - June 26, 2025

On March 3, 2026, the FDA issued a warning letter to Barcelona Nut Company Inc. following an inspection of its Baltimore manufacturing facility conducted from May 29 through June 26, 2025. The inspection revealed serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. The FDA determined that the company’s ready-to-eat nut and seed products were prepared under insanitary conditions that could render them injurious to health.

Primary violations included a failure to implement adequate preventive controls for allergen cross-contact in roasting oil and a lack of scientific validation proving that roasting parameters are sufficient to eliminate Salmonella. Investigators also documented a severe pest infestation, including dead rodents and widespread rodent excreta on food-contact surfaces and production equipment. Additionally, the facility’s 150-year-old building was found to have structural deficiencies, such as splintered wooden floors and exposed ceilings, which prevent proper cleaning. Personnel were also observed ignoring basic hygiene practices, such as failing to wear beard nets or removing jewelry.

While the company provided initial responses to the findings, the FDA deemed many of the proposed corrections inadequate to resolve the underlying safety risks. Barcelona Nut Company must submit a written response within 15 working days detailing the specific steps taken to correct these violations and prevent their recurrence. Failure to comply may lead to legal actions, including product seizures, injunctions, or the suspension of the facility’s registration.