Snow White Food Products, Inc. – FDA Warning Letter, Sep 1, 2010

An FDA inspection of Snow White Food Products, Inc.'s alfalfa sprout facility (621 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY) was conducted on August 19 & 24, and September 1, 2010. This inspection was prompted by a USDA sample of alfalfa sprouts that tested positive for *Salmonella* by the New York State Department of Agriculture laboratory.

The FDA determined that the sprouts were adulterated under 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(1) due to *Salmonella* contamination and under 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(4) due to insanitary conditions. Observed insanitary conditions included: a cooler temperature of 46°F (above the recommended 40°F for sprouts, risking pathogen growth like *Listeria monocytogenes*); inadequate cleaning of the area between the tumbler and drum quadrants; a fan air intake for the rinse vat bubbler drawing air from an area with a dead mouse, dust, and dirt; two 6-9 inch dead-end pipes in the water supply system; hoses with stagnant water on the floor used for the misting system; and a PVC pipe filling the rinse vat terminating 24 inches below the flood level without an air gap or backflow prevention.

The FDA acknowledged the firm's verbal commitment to correct issues but emphasized the need for detailed written Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs