A Houston egg roll manufacturer, Chung’s Products LP, is the target of a permanent injunction sought by the US Food and Drug Administration because of a continuing food safety issue.
Those named in a complaint accusing them of manufacturing shrimp egg rolls under unsanitary conditions are Chung’s Products LP, the company’s president, Charlie Kujawa and the directory of quality assurance, Gregory Birdsell. The conditions under which these shrimp egg rolls and manufactured are said to be filthy, and a 2009 inspection found Listeria monocytogenes present in the firm’s egg roll processing environment. Officials state that the complaint is only related to Chung’s fish and fishery products and not other foods that Chung’s produces.
The 2009 inspection that revealed the presence of listeria food poisoning also found that there were deficiencies in the way the company manufactured shrimp egg rolls, which are sold nationwide. The plant has continued to fail in the area of controlling risks of the formation of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause the potentially fatal illness botulism.
The complaint, filed by the US Department of Justice, was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and charges the defendants with violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by preparing, packaging and holding shrimp egg rolls under unsanitary conditions. Significant deviations from the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) requirements have been revealed by FDA inspections, and the agency has previously warned Chung’s that corrective actions need to be taken. The FDA is taking this action in order to protect public health.
Botulism and listeria are infections that can cause either mild or severe illness. In most healthy adults, symptoms are only mild. However, certain groups of individuals may be put at risk of serious complications or even death when infected with these foodborne illnesses. Pregnant women, babies, young children, the elderly and those with immune deficiencies are at highest risk of developing serious complications.
If you believe you have been infected with any type of foodborne bacteria, seek medical attention. Following receipt of medical attention, you need to research a food poisoning attorney to review your case and help you obtain compensation for lost wages, medical bills and possibly other factors.
