Ira J. Frantzman, Food Adulteration, Maine 2015

Mill Stream Corporation, a seafood company based in Hancock, Maine, and its owner, Ira J. Frantzman, have been ordered to cease all manufacturing operations by a U.S. District Court in Maine.

The court’s decision came after a complaint was filed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alleging that the defendants’ seafood products are adulterated, having been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions.

According to the complaint, the defendants’ facility in Hancock, Maine, was found to have significant, recurring violations of seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) requirements.

During an FDA inspection in March and April 2015, investigators observed insanitary conditions at the facility, including rodent excreta pellets, black mold, and water staining on equipment and storage areas.

The FDA also found Listeria monocytogenes in the facility’s environment and on a fish-skinning machine, which led to the issuance of an Administrative Detention Order and the destruction of affected products.

As a result of the court’s decision, Mill Stream Corporation and Frantzman must cease all manufacturing operations and comply with federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) regulations before resuming distribution of their products.

The consent decree of permanent injunction requires the defendants to take corrective actions, including implementing a new HACCP plan and improving sanitation and cleaning practices at the facility.

Mill Stream Corporation, doing business as Sullivan Harbor Farm, prepares, processes, packs, holds, and distributes refrigerated, vacuum-packed, ready-to-eat, cold and hot smoked fish or fishery products, including smoked salmon, trout, and char, for distribution to cities across the country.

The FDA’s complaint alleges that Frantzman is the owner of Mill Stream Corporation and has the authority and responsibility to prevent and correct violations of federal law at the company.

The case highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply chain, particularly in the seafood industry, where the risk of contamination can have serious health consequences.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to prevent the distribution of adulterated food products are crucial in protecting public health.

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