FDA WARNING_LETTER - US Gulf Coast Trading Co., Inc. - August 15, 2023

On December 5, 2023, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to a refrigerated, frozen, and ambient food product warehouse at 14100 Auto Park Way Ste. I, Houston, TX, following an inspection from August 7-15, 2023. The inspection revealed serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (21 CFR Part 117).

The facility's food products were deemed adulterated under sections 402(a)(3) and 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act due to extensive rodent filth and insanitary conditions. Investigators observed numerous rodent excreta pellets (TNTC), gnaw marks on food and packaging, nesting material, live maggots, and other excrement throughout the warehouse. Lab analysis of collected samples confirmed the presence of rodent filth, gnaw marks, and hairs.

Specific violations included: 1. Failure to exclude pests (21 CFR § 117.35(c)). 2. Failure to maintain the plant in adequate repair, specifically gaps in a bay door allowing pest entry (21 CFR § 117.35(a)). 3. Failure to clean non-food contact surfaces adequately, evidenced by a tahini spill contaminating other products (21 CFR § 117