FDA WARNING_LETTER - Ken Gonnering Livestock, Inc. - November 04, 2011

On February 3, 2012, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Ken Gonnering Livestock, Inc. following investigations on June 3, October 12, and November 4, 2011, at their Seymour, Wisconsin, livestock operation. The letter details violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The primary violation involved the sale of an adulterated bob veal calf for slaughter on January 26, 2011. Tissue analysis by USDA/FSIS revealed neomycin at 86.76 ppm in kidney tissue, significantly exceeding the 7.2 ppm tolerance for cattle, which does not apply to pre-ruminating calves. This renders the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act.

Additionally, the investigation found insanitary conditions under section 402(a)(4) of the Act. Ken Gonnering Livestock, Inc. lacked a system to ensure purchased animals sold for slaughter were not medicated, or to implement appropriate withdrawal periods for medicated animals. The firm also failed to maintain accurate traceability records for animals bought and sold.

The FDA cited eight other instances of illegal drug residues in bob veal calves sold by the firm, including neomycin, gentamicin, tilmicosin, and tulathromycin, with residue levels far exceeding established tolerances.

To correct these violations and prevent recurrence, the FDA