FDA seeks to shut down tortilla manufacturer

ROCKVILLE, Md. Not long after a nationwide salmonella scandal drove Peanut Corporation of America out of business, the Food and Drug Administration has moved to shut down a Chicago-based tortilla manufacturer, alleging repeated manufacturing safety violations.

The FDA announced Friday that it had filed an injunction preventing Del Rey Tortilleria from manufacturing and distributing soft-shell flour tortillas until it obtains approval from the agency, citing an “extensive history” of violating current good manufacturing practice, or cGMP, requirements for food. A complaint filed by the United States attorney in Chicago alleges that Del Rey’s manufacturing practices don’t adequately protect consumers against contamination.

“We cannot allow a company to produce potentially contaminated products because of failing to have adequate procedures in place,” said Michael Chappell, FDA acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, in a statement. “This enforcement action shows the FDA will take the appropriate measures deemed necessary under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to protect the public’s health.”

During inspections, the FDA found violations that included improperly stored cleaning chemicals, unsuitable containers used for food processing and other unsanitary conditions. The complaint also said the company recalled several products after some of its flour tortillas were linked to gastrointestinal sickness in schoolchildren.