Living Tree Community Foods, Inc. – FDA Warning Letter, Mar 17, 2023

On March 4, 2024, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Living Tree Community Foods following an inspection from February 13 to March 17, 2023, and a review of their website on October 11, 2023. The firm manufactures and repacks organic seeds, nuts, and butters.

The FDA found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (21 CFR Part 117), deeming their ready-to-eat (RTE) organic seed and tree nut butters adulterated under 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4).

Key violations include: 1. **Inadequate Hazard Analysis (21 CFR 117.130(a)(1))**: * Failure to identify and control pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Salmonella) in raw tree nuts and seeds, relying on an insufficient Approved Supplier Program without proper verification (21 CFR 117.405(a)(1), 21 CFR 117.410, 21 CFR 117.430(b)). * Failure to identify allergen cross-contact as a significant hazard at slicing and mixing steps, with inadequate cleaning controls evidenced by observed food debris and a sample of Walnut Butter