Schlechter Farms Inc – FDA Warning Letter, Dec 19, 2025

Schlechter Farms Inc., located in Salem, Oregon, received an FDA warning letter following an inspection conducted from December 16 to 19, 2025. The agency determined that the farm’s onion packing operations violated the Produce Safety regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, resulting in products being held under unsanitary conditions. The inspection revealed significant pest control issues, specifically the presence of numerous bird nests and bird droppings throughout the packing facility and directly on food-processing equipment. The FDA found that the farm lacked a systematic cleaning and sanitizing program, instead relying on an ineffective, informal approach that failed to remove contaminants from conveyor belts and packing lines. Additionally, the facility used equipment that was poorly designed for food safety, including soiled carpeting and frayed materials that cannot be properly cleaned. Other violations included the lack of a supervisor with required food safety training and a failure to maintain mandatory records of cleaning and sanitizing activities. Many of these issues were recurring problems that had been raised in previous regulatory meetings. The farm is required to submit a written response within 15 working days detailing the corrective measures taken to address these violations and the steps implemented to prevent their recurrence. Failure to comply may lead to further legal action, including product seizure or an injunction.