FDA WARNING_LETTER - South Central Livestock, Corporation - January 15, 2015

On January 8 and 15, 2015, the FDA investigated South Central Livestock Corporation's cattle operation in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and found violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

A cow sold for slaughter on October 11, 2014, was found to be adulterated. USDA/FSIS analysis of tissue samples from this animal, slaughtered on October 15, 2014, revealed 19.36 ppm of florfenicol in liver tissue (tolerance 3.7 ppm) and 6.99 ppm in muscle tissue (tolerance 0.3 ppm). Additionally, 4.55 ppm of flunixin was found in liver tissue (tolerance 0.125 ppm) and 0.27 ppm in muscle tissue (tolerance 0.025 ppm). These levels exceed established tolerances, rendering the food adulterated under Section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the Act.

The investigation also found insanitary conditions, specifically a failure to maintain treatment records, which could lead to medicated animals with harmful drug residues entering the food supply, violating Section 402(a)(4) of the Act.

Furthermore, the new animal drugs florfenicol (NuflorGold®, NADA # 141-265) and flunixin meglumine (Prevail®,