Kroger
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Wednesday he has reached an agreement with a food processor that was accused of selling contaminated food and not alerting the proper organization.
Pacific Nutritional Foods, Inc., allegedly sold contaminated food products and then concealed its distribution and recall of contaminated soy products from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"Consumers must be able to trust that food on the shelf is safe to eat," Deputy Attorney General Mary Williams said. "Companies that knowingly risk or compromise the public health will be held accountable."
A warning letter went out to the company in October 2009 after inspections by the FDA alleged numerous violations by the food processing facility.
Among the alleged violations were those that concerned low-acid and canned food regulations that rendered Pacific Nutritional Foods' soy- and oat-based beverage products "adulterated." This means that when those products were prepared or packed, they were done so under less than sanitary conditions and were considered unfit for consumption, Kroger said.
Under terms of the settlement, Pacific Nutritional Foods must pay $15,000 to the Oregon Department of Justice. The company must also put new protocols into place that can prevent and respond to future contaminations, and adhere to all reporting guidelines in the future.