# FDA WARNING_LETTER - Mexicali Cheese Corp. - August 17, 2010

Source: https://www.keypedia.com/records/warning_letter/mexicali-cheese-corp/36587774-d2a6-47ff-a78a-8e0837b5d253

> FDA WARNING_LETTER for Mexicali Cheese Corp. on August 17, 2010. Product: Food. Access full analysis and detailed observations.

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## Details

- Record Type: WARNING_LETTER
- Company Name: Mexicali Cheese Corp.
- Inspection Date: 2010-08-17
- Product Type: Food
- Office Name: New York District Office
- Summary: On August 10, 11, and 17, 2010, the FDA inspected Mexicali Cheese Corp.'s facility in Woodhaven, NY, following a recall due to elevated *Staphylococcus aureus* in Queso Cotija. The inspection found *Listeria monocytogenes* in five environmental locations, rendering cheese products adulterated under 21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4).

The FDA cited serious violations of 21 CFR Part 110 (Current Good Manufacturing Practice). Deficiencies included:
1.  **Inadequate cleaning and sanitizing (21 CFR 110.35(a)):** Employees cleaned equipment while wearing soiled garments, sprayed water onto food-contact surfaces and uncovered product, and used inadequately cleaned crates for ready-to-eat cheese.
2.  **Improper equipment maintenance (21 CFR 110.40(a)):** A rusted, chipped wire rack was used to grate mozzarella curds.
3.  **Failure to prevent contamination (21 CFR 110.80):** Ready-to-eat cheese contacted unsanitized walls, sink surfaces, and dirty plastic strip curtains. Wet crates dripped onto uncovered cheese, and cheese was wheeled through pooled floor water.
4.  **Failure to protect against contamination (21 CFR 110.10(

## Related Officers

- [Program Director](https://www.keypedia.com/people/ronald-m-pace/a79d2af4-650e-4220-8de1-92bbd284457d)

Company: https://www.keypedia.com/companies/mexicali-cheese-corp/b36fb9ce-b7fb-4731-832a-190c610b7c81

Office: https://www.keypedia.com/offices/new-york-district-office/9fa3d265-16ca-438d-8a6e-b47f60dc260d