The investigation into seven illnesses and a death linked to Hispanic cheese has resulted in suspended operations at a Delaware plant, Roos Foods. According to the Associated Press, FDA inspectors found a mess including poor sanitation and practices.
This is only the second time the FDA has used its authority to shut down a plant after gaining that authority in a 2011 food safety law. The agency said Tuesday that its inspectors found unsanitary conditions at Roos Foods in Kenton, Del., including a badly leaking roof, rusting and deteriorating equipment and food residues on equipment even after it had been cleaned.
The FDA said the agency took the action because food manufactured by the company could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death to humans.”
Roos can request a hearing on the decision, and the FDA can restart operations if the agency determines the health threat has been rectified. Calls to Roos Foods on Tuesday seeking comment were not returned.
The company has already recalled a large variety of its products, including many cheeses in its Amigo, Anita, Mexicana, and Santa Rosa de Lima brands.
Who was buying cheese from this place and did they send anyone out to see what was going on?