WASHINGTON—Rodent-infested conditions and violations of the Seafood Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to order U.S. Marshals to seize tuna salad sandwiches and other food products from Bearden Sandwich Company Inc., doing business as Southern Belle Sandwich Company, in Baton Rouge, La.
The seized products, totaling more than $72,000, violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because the products have been prepared, packed and held under unsanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to the public’s health.
Recent FDA inspections found evidence of widespread and active rodent and insect infestation, filthy conditions, and poor employee practices such as allowing food-processing utensils to lie on the floor near live insects.
The company distributes products to convenience and retail stores in southern Louisiana; Mobile, Ala.; Montgomery, Ala.; and Crestview, Fla.
