Since we last reported on enforcement actions in December 2014, FDA posted warning letters to canned food processors, seafood processors, dairies, dietary supplement manufacturers, a pet food manufacturer, a cosmetics manufacturer, and other food companies for violations related to CGMP (current good manufacturing practice), commodity-specific regulations, labeling, illegal drug residues, and unapproved drug claims, among others.

FDA warned one food manufacturing facility for various CGMP violations, including packaging food in insanitary conditions and failure to protect against contamination of food by pests. Five acidified foods manufacturers, three located overseas, and one a manufacturer of canned dog and cat food were warned for various violations of the Acidified Foods and Emergency Permit regulations. One of these, a sauce manufacturer, was also warned for failing to declare major food allergens on the label. Seven seafood processing facilities, including three overseas, were cited for failing to comply with hazard analysis and critical control points regulations and for various CGMP violations. Some of the seafood processing facilities were additionally warned for processing seafood in insanitary conditions. FDA also warned eight dairy farms for selling cattle for slaughter adulterated with illegal drug residue. A juice manufacturer was cited for failing to comply with juice hazard analysis and critical control points regulations, for CGMP violations, and for insanitary conditions. Another manufacturer was warned because its products contained salicylic acid, an unapproved food additive.

FDA continues to review product labels for incorrect or incomplete claims. In recent warning letters, the agency cited two manufacturers for making "healthy" claims on chocolate products when those products failed to meet the nutrient content requirements for such claims.

FDA also posted six warning letters to dietary supplement manufacturers, one located abroad. All six dietary supplement manufacturers were cited for CGMP violations, and three for marketing unapproved drugs because their products are promoted for therapeutic claims. Five of the dietary supplement manufacturers were also warned for insufficient labels, such as failing to list capsule ingredients on the label, failing to properly format a "Supplement Facts" label, failing to label the product as "dietary supplement," and failing to declare all common or usual names of each ingredient.

Finally, FDA is increasingly taking enforcement actions in the area of cosmetics regulation, reflected by an uptick in cosmetics recalls and warning letters in the last months. Most recently, FDA warned a skin care products manufacturer that therapeutic claims on its website—which FDA reviewed following a facility inspection—rendered the products unapproved new drugs.

View FDA's Warning Letters Homepage (scroll down for listing of recently posted Warning Letters).

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