Noodle and sprout producer shut due to unsanitary conditions

A consent decree of permanent injunction was made against Kwong Tung Foods doing business as Canton Foods; the firm’s president and owner, Vieta C. Wang; and vice president, Juney H. Wang.

The defendants said they had ceased receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, or distributing any type of food at or from any location. 

If they seek to resume activities, they must improve manufacturing practices, and then receive written approval from FDA. 

No illnesses were reported in connection with Kwong Tung Foods.

Complaint details​

The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint on July 14, in the US District Court for Minnesota at the request of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Unsanitary conditions included failure to exclude pests and rodents from the facility, to maintain equipment and ensure adequate employee sanitation, according to the complaint.

“Kwong Tung Foods was repeatedly warned about the insanitary conditions at its Minneapolis food facility,”​ said Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

The firm’s website says they are artisan noodle makers serving the Twin Cities for more than 35 years.

The founder established Kwong Tung Foods, an international grocery store in Downtown Minneapolis, during the Second World War.

FDA inspection findings​

FDA inspected Kwong Tung Foods’ facility in Minneapolis in October 2015 and found the defendants’ failed to take necessary precautions to protect against contamination and maintain buildings in good repair. 

The agency observed evidence of live and dead pests and rodents in production rooms, a black mold-like substance and debris on production equipment, inadequate employee sanitation practices, and potential cross-contamination with major allergens, according to the complaint.

It also saw condensate dripping onto finished bean sprouts during the same inspection.

FDA inspected Kwong Tung Foods’ facility twice in 2014 and saw failures to exclude pests from the plant and to adequately maintain equipment and employee sanitation practices.

Despite receiving a warning letter and having regulatory meetings with the FDA, Kwong Tung Foods and Victor and Juney Wang failed to take adequate corrective actions to ensure the safety of their food, said the agency.

“The FDA expects food companies to follow cGMP regulations, and when a company does not address violations and sanitary protocols are being neglected, it poses potentially hazardous conditions,”​ said Melinda K. Plaisier, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.