The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to Atlanta-based Halperns’ Steak and Seafood Company as well as Houston-based H&H Seafood after inspections found both establishments to be infringing upon the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) for seafood.
Regarding H&H Seafood, agency inspectors discovered that the pasteurized canned crabmeat, ready-to-eat crabmeat and tuna sold onsite were all adulterated “in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.” Moreover, FDA inspectors noted that the Houston location did not have HACCP plans on hand that relayed the critical limit for storage, which is meant to help control and prevent pathogenic bacteria and toxin formation, Clostridium botulinum toxin formation and scombrotoxin formation.
“We may take further action if you do not promptly correct these violations. For instance, we may take further action to seize your product(s) and/or enjoin your firm,” read the FDA’s letter.
According to the agency and Food Safety News, H&H Seafood’s Houston location has a “significant history of violation" that have spurred numerous advisory letters and a regulatory meeting in April 2014.
Meanwhile, Halperns’ Steak and Seafood Company was issued a letter of its own which detailed “serious violations” of the HACCP standard at its Dallas-based seafood processing facility. Adulterated items at the site included pasteurized crabmeat, histamine-forming fish and caviar, said the FDA. Particularly when it comes to caviar, the agency found that the critical limits at the receiving critical control point at the facility were inadequate to prevent pathogen growth and toxin formation like Clostridium botulinum.
Problems with Halperns' transportation, ice and storage temperature monitoring systems were also highlighted by the FDA in the letter.
“The Food and Drug Administration has a significant history of violations associated with the most responsible personnel at this facility, including prior issued advisory letters and a regulatory meeting with the Dallas District Office. Based on our history with this facility, the findings of the current inspection, and your firm’s inadequate response; we believe a meeting with your firm’s current management is necessary,” the FDA said.
