The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this weekend announced that U.S. Marshals raided a food storage facility in Waynesboro, Virginia on September 16. The raid was conducted do to FDA inspectors finding “widespread” rodent and insect infestations at the location.
Two companies, Gourmet Provisions and Royal Cup, used the premises to store food products. Gourmet Provisions manufacturers ice cream cones, branded as “Matt’s Supreme Cones.” Royal Cup provides coffee services and solutions, having clients such as Chick-Fil-A, Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Red Lobster, The Ritz-Carlton, and Waffle House. Products from both companies have been seized.
“These companies have a responsibility for the safety and quality of their products,” said Melinda K. Plaisier, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the FDA. “When firms do not uphold this responsibility, the FDA will take actions that demonstrate its commitment to assuring consumers that foods they buy are prepared, packaged, and held under sanitary conditions.”
The raid was conducted under warrants issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The warrants were issued after an FDA inspection found the rodent and insect infestations, as well as “unclean equipment” and “structural defects.” The agency asserts that the facility did not take “effective measures” to get rid of the infestations or clean food contact surfaces.