A June 2023 FDA inspection of ReConserve of Maryland, Inc. found multiple food safety and sanitation issues at the facility.
The inspection outcome was classified as “Official Action Indicated,” and a summary of the observations was posted on the FDA’s searchable inspections dashboard.
“Official Action Indicated” means that regulatory and/or administrative actions are recommended, according to the FDA’s definition of inspection classifications.
The actual actions taken by the agency will depend, at least in part, on the willingness of the company to correct each of the issues identified during the inspection in a timely manner.
ReConserve Inc. is a recycler of edible food waste, with multiple locations across the United States.
According to its website, the company recycles bakery, cereal grain, snack foods, and related food by-products into ground meal that can be incorporated into feed for poultry, swine, dairy cattle, and beef cattle.
During the course of the inspection, the FDA noted the following infractions:
- You did not keep the grounds around your animal food plant in a condition that would protect against the contamination of animal food.
- You did not effectively protect the animal food stored outdoors in bulk from contamination.
- You did not inspect, segregate, or otherwise handle raw materials and ingredients used in manufacturing under conditions that will protect the animal food against contamination and minimize deterioration.
- You did not identify and evaluate each known or reasonably foreseeable hazard for each type of animal food you manufacture, process, pack or hold in your facility.
- You did not identify and implement preventive controls to ensure that any hazards requiring a preventive control are significantly minimized or prevented.
- You did not conduct a reanalysis of your food safety plan as appropriate.
Why this matters
ReConserve describes its finished product as a “high-energy, nutrient dense, highly palatable” substitute for “more expensive feed grains and fat,” which can be incorporated into animal food rations at levels as high as 25% for poultry and 30% for swine.
Improper storage and handling of bakery and other cereal grain by-products can easily lead to mold growth in the material, with the potential for development of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins.
Improper or inadequate controls during and after processing could result in contamination with harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, as a result of cross-contamination or exposure to rodent or bird infestation.
Either of these outcomes put livestock at risk.
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