FDA WARNING_LETTER - Robert L. Honeycutt - April 17, 2013

On April 3, 16, and 17, 2013, the FDA investigated Robert Honeycutt's cattle operation in Glasgow, KY. The investigation found violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Specifically, on January 26, 2013, a dairy cow sold for slaughter as food was found to be adulterated. USDA/FSIS analysis of tissue samples from this animal, slaughtered on January 28, 2013, revealed flunixin at 0.165 ppm in the liver and desfuroylceftiofur (a ceftiofur metabolite) at 8.9 ppm in the kidney. These levels exceed the FDA's established tolerances of 0.125 ppm for flunixin (21 C.F.R. § 556.286) and 0.4 ppm for ceftiofur (21 C.F.R. § 556.113), rendering the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed insanitary conditions, including a failure to maintain treatment records, indicating that medicated animals with potentially harmful drug residues are likely to enter the food supply. This constitutes adulteration under section 402(a)(4) of the Act. The letter requires prompt corrective