FDA WARNING_LETTER - Longway Farms, LLC - August 23, 2010

On August 16, 17, 19, and 23, 2010, the FDA investigated Longway Farm in Swanton, Vermont, and found violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The farm offered for sale animals for slaughter as food that were adulterated under sections 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) and 402(a)(4) of the Act.

Specifically, on March 15, 2010, one bob veal calf was sold, and on March 29, 2010, two bob veal calves were sold. USDA/FSIS analysis of kidney tissue samples from these animals revealed neomycin levels of 17.53 ppm, 21.58 ppm, and 8.25 ppm, respectively. These levels exceed the FDA tolerance of 7.2 ppm for neomycin in cattle kidneys (21 C.F.R. § 556.430), causing the food to be adulterated.

The investigation also found that Longway Farm holds animals under insanitary conditions, lacking an adequate system to ensure medicated animals are withheld from slaughter for appropriate periods to deplete drug residues. For example, there was no adequate inventory system for determining drug quantities used. This renders food from such animals adulterated under section 402(a)(4) of the Act.