Indian Foods & Spices, LLC – FDA Warning Letter, Apr 17, 2012

On April 6-17, 2012, the FDA inspected Indian Food & Spices, LLC's food warehouse in Rahway, NJ, revealing serious Current Good Manufacturing Practice violations (21 CFR Part 110). Food stored at the facility was adulterated under Section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act due to insanitary conditions. A Basmati Rice sample (726279) was found to contain rat/mouse hair, feather barbs, insect fragments, bird excreta, and urine, rendering it adulterated under Section 402(a)(3).

Key violations included failure to exclude pests (21 CFR 110.35(c)), with observations of live birds, dead rodents, bird and rodent excreta, rodent nesting and gnawing, insect activity, and urine staining on food products and premises. The firm also failed to maintain sanitary conditions (21 CFR 110.35(a)), evidenced by spilled rice near stored food. Additionally, the facility failed to protect food from contamination due to deficiencies in plant design (21 CFR 110.20(b)(2)), such as food pallets stored against walls and other pallets, open bay doors, and gaps in walls and the roof.

The firm's April 26, 2012, response acknowledged destruction of the rice lot and