FDA WARNING_LETTER - Danny Johnson - May 26, 2011

On July 20, 2011, the FDA issued a Warning Letter to Danny L. Johnson, Dealer/Producer at United Parcel Service, Glasgow, Kentucky, following an investigation of his farming operation on May 24 and 26, 2011. The investigation revealed violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) related to adulterated food.

Specifically, a cow sold for slaughter on November 29, 2010, and slaughtered on December 6, 2010, was found to have sulfamethazine residues in its liver (1.99 ppm) and muscle (1.11 ppm). This significantly exceeds the FDA tolerance of 0.1 ppm for sulfamethazine in cattle tissues (21 CFR 556.670), rendering the food adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the FD&C Act.

Furthermore, the investigation found insanitary conditions, including a failure to maintain treatment records and an adequate drug inventory system, and the presence of numerous expired prescription drugs. These conditions indicate that medicated animals with harmful drug residues are likely to enter the food supply, causing the food to be adulterated under section 402(a)(4) of the FD&C Act.

The FDA requires prompt corrective action within fifteen working days, including steps to prevent recurrence. Failure