Cabaniss Dairy – FDA Warning Letter, Feb 26, 2015

On February 23-26, 2015, an FDA investigation of a dairy operation at 448 Sunset Drive, Maxeys, GA, confirmed the sale of adulterated animals for slaughter. On September 15, 2014, two dairy cows were sold for slaughter, and subsequent USDA/FSIS analysis of kidney tissue samples on September 16, 2014, revealed desfuroylceftiofur (Ceftiofur marker residue) levels of 9.71 ppm and 4.12 ppm, respectively. This significantly exceeds the established tolerance of 0.4 ppm for desfuroylceftiofur in uncooked edible kidney tissue of cattle (21 CFR 556.113), rendering the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).

The investigation also found that the operation holds animals under inadequate conditions, increasing the likelihood of medicated animals with harmful drug residues entering the food supply. Specific deficiencies included failure to maintain complete treatment records and failure to withhold animals from slaughter for an appropriate period to deplete drug residues. This constitutes adulteration under section 402(a)(4) of the Act.

The FDA requires prompt corrective action to address these violations and establish procedures to prevent recurrence. Failure to comply may result in regulatory actions such as seizure