10 Mar 2011

US FDA raises concerns with owners of cannery plant in American Samoa

12:02 pm on 10 March 2011

The U.S. StarKist Company has been sent a letter by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the unsanitary conditions of its cannery plant in American Samoa.

The U.S. based newspaper Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper says the letter followed a FDA inspection at the plant last November.

The paper says investigators discovered decomposed fish and improper temperature controls that may lead to bacterial contamination at the cannery in Pago Pago.

The FDA says some issues date back to at least 2009 and may result in product seizure or import restrictions if not corrected.

The Administration told the company's president in a letter that canned tuna and pouched packed tuna been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions.

There was no immediate reaction from the company's corporate office.