Approximately 5,000 cases of ready-to-eat frozen crab products produced by Massachusetts-based Rome Packing Company Inc. were seized by U.S. Marshals at the request of FDA and the state attorney.

According to FDA, during an inspection of the facility conducted from Nov. 2014 through Jan. 2015, investigators observed poor sanitary practices and found company’s cooking process for crabs did not maintain adequate temperatures to prevent the growth of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono). Environmental swabs collected by FDA during the inspection confirmed the presence of L. mono in the manufacturing area.

“The FDA made several efforts to help Rome Packing correct processes, but the company failed to take adequate corrective measures,” said Melinda Plaisier, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “In this case, we had to intervene and seize this adulterated food to prevent it from reaching consumers.”

Rome Packing is currently not operating or producing food. No illnesses have been reported to date.