FDA WARNING_LETTER - Jim Paskewitz Livestock - June 15, 2017

On May 25 and June 15, 2017, the FDA inspected Jim Paskewitz Livestock, a cattle buying business in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The inspection confirmed the sale of an adulterated animal for slaughter.

Specifically, on November 15, 2016, a cow with ear tag (b)(4) was transported from the feedlot to (b)(4) and slaughtered on November 16, 2016. USDA/FSIS analysis of kidney tissue from this animal revealed 0.242 ppm penicillin, exceeding the established tolerance of 0.05 ppm for penicillin in uncooked edible cattle tissues (21 CFR 556.510). This constitutes adulteration under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(2)(C)(ii).

Furthermore, the investigation found that Jim Paskewitz Livestock holds animals under insanitary conditions, lacking an adequate system to ensure medicated animals are withheld from slaughter for sufficient periods to deplete drug residues. This practice renders food adulterated under section 402(a)(4) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4).

To prevent future violations, the FDA requires the