FDA finds unsanitary conditions at Whole Foods facility in Everett
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Whole Foods that a series of inspections had found “serious violations” at an Everett facility that packages and prepares ready-to-eat food.
According to an FDA warning letter to Whole Foods, inspectors found that condensate from the ceiling dripped onto an area that was used to mix ready-to-eat pesto pasta. Dripping condensate was also observed near the preparation areas for ready-to-eat vegetables, chives and beets, egg salad, and couscous.
In addition, inspectors cited an employee’s unprotected upper sleeves were touching ready-to-eat leafy salad greens as they were being packed.
Those issues, as well as the discovery of listeria bacteria in the facility and inadequate hand-washing stations, were among a number of “serious concerns” the FDA found during inspections in February.
The FDA said these issues meant that the foods “were prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health,” according to the letter. The FDA asked Whole Foods to respond within 15 working days with a plan to correct the violations.
The Everett facility is used to prepare foods and supplies that are then shipped to Whole Foods stores across the Northeast.
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