The trucks of Quong Hop & Co. are parked idly near a padlocked warehouse in South San Francisco following two recalls of its products in recent times. Quong Hop & Co. was established in 1906 and presently is one of California’s largest makers of tofu.

The firm had to quit tofu production last month when the health & food quality inspectors tested the factory and the manufactured food. The tests showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in high levels causing concern and asking for an immediate recall of the company’s products. According to Patrick Kennelly who works with the California Dept of Public Health, everything found at the factory during the investigation is now under restriction.

Prior to this, the firm had faced a recall even in the year 2007 when listeria was found in the company’s products.

Discovering listeria monocytogenes, the State Health Department urged Quong Hop to recall their more than 90 products including Raquel’s wraps, sandwiches, hummus and salads. These products were stocked by many of Bay Area stores like Andronico’s and Mollie Stone’s. Even Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Oregon include the list of states where Quong Hop supplied its products. However, no cases have been reported so far of any illnesses due to these recalled products.

The Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that lead to the ban are responsible for a serious illness Listeriosis. This can cause fever, nausea, severe headaches, diarrhea and pain in abdomen. The elderly and the newborns are at higher risk of listeriosis due to their weak immune systems. In fact, it has been reported to be the second-largest among food-borne diseases in America.

Even in 2007, the company’s brand ‘Soy Deli’ was recalled from stores when inspectors found listeria in the products. A fine of $90,000 was imposed on Quong Hop and warned from any future violations regarding health safety. However, another inspection in July this year revealed the same situation prompting for another recall and a ban.

Quong Hop faces the risk of civil or criminal prosecution as the investigations of State Health Dept are still on. If found violating the terms of the previous settlement, the company could be fined on an average of $6,000 for each violation per day. Even the company’s operation license could be revoked by the department.

Source:

New York Times