Hillside Veal – FDA Warning Letter

The FDA conducted an investigation of Hillside Veal's formula-fed veal farm on November 15, 2011, identifying significant violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The primary finding was the sale of an adulterated veal calf for slaughter, which contained 0.53 parts per million (ppm) Florfenicol residue in its liver. FDA has not established a tolerance for Florfenicol in veal, rendering the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Hillside Veal holds animals under inadequate conditions, increasing the likelihood of medicated animals with potentially harmful drug residues entering the food supply, constituting adulteration under section 402(a)(4). Specifically, the firm failed to ensure that medicated animals were withheld from slaughter for appropriate periods to allow for drug depletion. The FDA requires prompt corrective action to address these violations and establish procedures to prevent recurrence. Hillside Veal must submit a written response within fifteen working days, detailing all steps taken or planned, including timelines for completion. Failure to comply may result in further regulatory actions, such as seizure or injunction. The firm is responsible for ensuring its operations and distributed food comply with the law.