A federal court is compelling a Minnesota noodle and sprout company to stop production due to a history of unsanitary conditions in violation of current Good Manufacturing Practice.

According to FDA, inspectors investigating thee Kwong Tung Foods, Inc. production facility allegedly found food safety violations including rodent droppings, improper cleaning, mold-like substances on equipment, failure to prevent cross-contamination from allergens and improper employee sanitation practices. Despite a warning letter and meetings with FDA, adequate corrective actions were not taken. The U.S. Department of Justice brought the action against the company on behalf of the FDA.

As a result of this action, Kwong Tung Foods, Inc. is prohibited from directly or indirectly receiving, processing, manufacturing, preparing, packing, holding, and/or distributing any article of food at or from its facility. If Kwong Tung Foods Inc. intends to resume operations, the company must notify the FDA, and, among other requirements, retain an independent food safety expert to ensure Kwong Tung Foods, Inc. has and implements, to the FDA’s satisfaction, an appropriate written Sanitation Control Program. If it resumes operations, Kwong Tung Foods, Inc. must also retain an independent laboratory to conduct analyses of its food processing environment and food products, and provide employee training on sanitation and appropriate food handling techniques.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with Kwong Tung Foods Inc.