GROSS!

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02012.html

"American Mercantile's website says it distributes spices, seeds, botanical extracts, essential oils, natural pigments, sweeteners and related raw materials. FDA seized sarsaparilla, spearmint, cornstarch, sweet orange peels, licorice powder, sassafras and salt in the raid."

FDA: More than $1.5 Million of Adulterated Food, Food Ingredients Seized
Filthy conditions, failure to correct violations prompted action



At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals today seized more than $1.5 million worth of food products, including herbs and botanicals, stored under filthy conditions at the American Mercantile Corporation of Memphis, Tenn.

During an inspection of American Mercantile in March, FDA investigators discovered evidence of extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout the company’s warehouse. The company failed to correct these problems. Acting on a warrant issued by the United Stated District Court in Memphis, U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated food products exposed to rodent and insect contamination at the facility. The seized products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they were held under insanitary conditions under which they may have become contaminated with filth.

“FDA will not tolerate a company’s failure to adequately control and prevent filth in its facility,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “The FDA is prepared to use whatever legal means are necessary and appropriate to keep potentially contaminated products out of the marketplace.”

American Mercantile stores and processes food ingredients, which are then sold to and used in the dietary supplement and herbal tea industries. The seized articles include food products, such as sarsaparilla, spearmint leaves, cornstarch, sweet orange peels powder, licorice powder, sassafras, and salt.

The FDA has no reports of illness associated with consumption of the products.


Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-796-4737
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

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American Mercantile Corporation
General Information:
P.O. Box 240654
Memphis, TN
US United States of America, 38124
Phone: 1-901-454-1900
Fax: 1-901-454-0207
Email: dsa@memphi.net
Web: www.americanmercantile.net


Description:
AMC is a USA based corporartion that has been in business 20 years and handles a wide variety of natural plant products on a worldwide basis, including spices, seeds, herbs, botanicals, extracts and related raw materials. Our Memphis, TN, location is a licensed Pharmaceutical manufacturing facility which includes a high speed fine grinder, knife mill, extract cutter, cleaning and bagging operations. We also have a working relationship with the National Center of Development of Natural Products, a division of The Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, Mississippi, and we can utilize their services for special research projects.

Visit our web site at www.americanmercantile.net.

Wholesale to the trade only.

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http://www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/tabId/119/itemId/3884/No-warning-letter-in-American-Mercantile-raid-Is.aspx

"US Marshalls acted on behalf of FDA, after two inspections revealed a lack of action on the part of American Mercantile. "During a routine inspection in March, the FDA uncovered evidence of extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout the company's warehouse. A follow-up joint inspection with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture found that the owner failed to clean the facility and did not correct previous violations, despite promising to do so."

Further:
"The FDA would not comment on whether this incidence may lead to further investigations of Ingredients Corporation of America (ICA) and Equine Science, both based in Memphis and owned by American Mercantile."

More...
"In the past American Merchantile certified organic ingredients included Acer spicatum (Mountain Maple Bark), Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow), Aletris farinosa (Whitetube Stargrass), Aralia racemosa (American Spikenard) and Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate)."


No warning letter in American Mercantile raid. Is this the new FDA?

Seems as though people are upset because there was no warning letter.
When conditions are such that they could pose an immediate threat, well, too bad so sad.

That said a warning letter would only do what? Allow them time to cover this all up and then continue business as usual; possibly poisoning millions of Americans (and their horses too) in the process?

XOXO
Me