FDA warns Whole Foods over unsanitary conditions in kitchen

A ceiling in the facility was dripping condensate onto an area that was mixed with a ready-to-eat pasta product that Whole Foods makes.

Other violations included failure to sanitize food prep surfaces, dirty dishes near food, and sinks without hot water for hand-washing. Moreover, the company allowed usage of high-pressure hoses for cleaning in areas where foods like couscous and salad dressing were being prepared.

The firm stated in the letter that it had actually received a response from Whole Foods laying out steps it would require to fix the problems.

Marler said the FDA’s findings could impact Whole Foods the same way an E. coli outbreak recently hurt Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The headline seems to be the biggest issue: The headline seems to be the bigger issue, as the company is already fighting a price perception battle and food safety has become a growing concern for consumers.

They said they found “serious violations” at a food preparation facility during inspections back in February. The facility inspected packed and prepared food under insanitary conditions.

According to the FDA, Whole Foods also didn’t safeguard food and plant surfaces that touch food from “contamination with chemicals, filth and extraneous materials”. They also didn’t take caution to avoid antiseptic and cleaning fluids from having contact with ready-to-eat products.

Whole Foods has 15 days from receipt of the letter to inform the FDA “of the specific things that you are doing to correct the violations described above”.

Another employee was also seen using ammonium-based sanitizer near a worker packing ready-to-eat salads. However, FDA said Whole Foods’ previous response “failed to provide documentation” such as photographs, invoices and work orders for review, which would demonstrate that the retailer had implemented all corrective actions. The letter was dated June 8.

The FDA acknowledged that Whole Foods responded to the FDA’s inspection observations in February and that “senior leadership is committed to take all the necessary measures to correct all the deficiencies”.

And they report that employees did not wash their hands or change gloves between tasks.