The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered a juice manufacturer based in Ketchum, Idaho, to cease operations, claiming that the company has repeatedly violated food safety rules.
Sun Valley Juice Company has been told to stop receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding and distributing juice until the FDA determines that the company is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
“When a company repeatedly disobeys food safety laws and regulations, and does not stick to a court-ordered agreement designed to protect public health, the FDA must use the full power of the courts to protect consumers,” said Melinda K. Plaisier, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.
The agency explained that it had made several attempts to help the manufacturer comply with regulations before seeking the shutdown.
Because Sun Valley Juice Company does not pasteurize its juice, a process known to kill bacteria that could cause illness such as E. coli, the company must take other steps to prevent potentially harmful bacteria from contaminating its products.
A consent decree dating back to 2006, and subsequent inspections, were intended to ensure that the company was taking these steps.
However, FDA investigators have repeatedly found the company out of compliance with the terms of the consent decree and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
As a result of the latest action, the juice manufacturer can only resume operations with approval from the FDA.
