SAN FRANCISCO—Fong Kee Tofu Co., a tofu manufacturing company operating in San Francisco, has agreed to cease its operation until the United States Food and Drug Administration determines the company has established acceptable sanitation conditions.
After a civil lawsuit was placed against the company and owners Yan Hui Fong and Jen Ying Fong, Fong Kee Tofu agreed to sign a consent decree with the FDA.
The civil lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Justice department, claims the company was operating under unsanitary conditions that were leading to the contamination of their product.
Among the violations were the presence of insects and vermin in the immediate vicinity of the food and food processing equipment. An FDA inspection also revealed a lack of proper sanitation etiquette on the part of employees, as well as the presence of residue and grime on infrequently cleaned machinery.
According to U.S. Attorney General Joyce Branda, the company had been repeatedly warned about the violations.
If Fong Kee Tofu Co. is to resume its operations, the company must first hire a sanitation expert and labeling expert to develop consistently sanitary and ethical manufacturing practices.
The company would then be required to receive written consent from the FDA to legally produce food products. Once business resumes, Fong Kee Tofu Co. will be subject to FDA inspections absent advanced warning.
