Emmons Livestock – FDA Warning Letter, Sep 16, 2022

On February 10, 2023, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Mr. Emmons following an inspection of his cattle dealing operation in Maysville, KY, conducted on August 17, September 7, and September 16, 2022. The letter details violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

The FDA found that an animal sold for slaughter on December 8, 2021, contained florfenicol at 6.70 ppm and tilmicosin at 1.52 ppm in liver tissue, exceeding the established tolerances of 3.7 ppm and 1.2 ppm, respectively. This renders the food adulterated under 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(2)(C)(ii). The firm also failed to inquire about the medication status of transported cattle.

Further violations include holding animals under insanitary conditions (21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)), such as not cleaning water containers to prevent cross-contamination of medicated and non-medicated liquids. The firm also failed to maintain complete and accurate treatment records, identify and segregate treated cattle, and adequately account for drugs, with several expired drugs found on site.

Additionally, the firm used Increxxa™ (tulathromycin) contrary to label instructions by allowing non-owners/employees