A federal court permanently enjoined a food processor from processing and distributing adulterated seafood products.
Houston, Texas-based Topway Enterprises, doing business as Kazy’s Gourmet, and the principals of the company – Jeff Liao, Ying Chen, and Adwin Liao – sold ready-to-eat fish and fishery products in a facility with serious insanitary conditions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in its original complaint filed in August.
The complaint alleged that FDA inspectors found that the defendants failed to adequately control the growth of Listeria monocytogenes at their facility, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a press release.
Topway and its officers agreed to settle the litigation by the entered consent decree of permanent injunction.
“The settlement provides safeguards to ensure that future processing of ready-to-eat raw fish at the defendants’ facility comports with the requirements of the law,” the DOJ said.
In July, FDA suspended Topway’s food facility registration. However, since the suspension, the defendants have taken positive steps to correct the problems at their facility, the DOJ noted.
“We are happy the company is taking steps to correct the severe problems at their facility and the FDA continues to work with the company as it brings its facility into compliance,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas.
“One of our many important enforcement priorities is to help ensure food is safe,” added U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. “This action will help ensure compliance with federal law and FDA rules and regulations. I’m glad we were able to reach this resolution.”
Photo courtesy of Felipe Caparros/Shutterstock
