Black Market Hot Sauce Company – FDA Warning Letter, Oct 6, 2014

On October 2 and 6, 2014, the FDA inspected Black Market Hot Sauce in Everson, Washington, and found significant violations of food labeling regulations (21 CFR Part 101). The firm's Black Market Hot Sauce Cambodian Blend was found to be misbranded under Section 403 of the FD&C Act.

Violations include: 1. **Misleading Labeling (Section 403(a)(1)):** * Vitamin C content was less than 80% of the declared amount (2.3% and 1.65% vs. 20% daily value). * The product was labeled as "fully raw" and "full of healthy probiotics," despite a heat step in its manufacturing process (b)(4) °F for (b)(4) minutes, which makes it not raw and unlikely to contain significant probiotics. The firm acknowledged this statement was incorrect.

2. **Incorrect Nutrition Facts Format (Section 403(q)):** * Serving size "2 tbsp" was not based on the appropriate Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC) of "1 tsp (5 ml)," leading to incorrect nutrient declarations. * Missing household measure with metric equivalent for serving size. * Declared % Daily Values for Trans Fat and Sugars, for which no % Daily Value is established.