The violations of the federal Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations documented by the FDA pose a public health hazard because, without adequate controls, products made by Captain’s Select Seafood could harbor pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Food products with these kinds of pathogens can cause serious illnesses in people who eat them.
With that, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced today (6/6/08) that it was seeking a permanent injunction against seafood processor Captain’s Select Seafood, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., and two of its top officers for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The U.S. Justice Department Minnesota District is handling the case.
FDA says Captain’s Select Seafood has a history of violations and a record of failure to take corrective action.
There was no mention of the action on the company’s website, which can be found here.
According to the site, Captain’s Select Seafood has been in business since 1995, supplying restaurants and operating a retail store on its premises.
FDA actions against the company go back four years. A “permanent injunction” amounts to a death sentence for Captain’s.
“We simply can’t allow a company to put the public’s health at risk by not having adequate procedures and plans to produce safe food,” said Margaret O’K. Glavin, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Our warning letters should not be taken lightly. We will take action against companies and against their executives who violate the law and endanger public health.”