SILVER SPRING, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced
intentions to ask a federal court to shut down a New Jersey cheese manufacturer
with an alleged history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing
cheese contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction
against and two of its officers, Felix Sanchez and Jesus Galvez. The complaint
alleges that recent inspections by the FDA and the New Jersey Department of
Health and Senior Services found Listeria-contaminated cheese and insanitary
conditions at the Passaic company.
If entered by the court, the injunction would stop the company and its officers
from manufacturing and distributing food until they can bring their operations
into full compliance with FDA food safety regulations and produce cheese that
does not test positive for the presence of Listeria. The complaint for permanent
injunction was filed in the U.S. District Court – District of New Jersey.
“FDA’s work with federal and state partners to root out or remedy food
manufacturers not compliant with food safety laws ensures safer foods get to our
dinner tables,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner
for regulatory affairs.
Quesos Mi Pueblito currently manufactures and distributes a variety of soft,
semi-soft, and hard Mexican cheeses in grocery stores and supermarkets in
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and the
District of Columbia. Among Quesos Mi Pueblito’s products are queso oaxaca,
queso fresco, queso requeson and queso cotija molido.
Consumers can report problems with FDA-regulated products to their district
office consumer complaint coordinator.
Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 301-796-4668,
siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
Source:
FDA