The Food and Drug Administration obtained a Consent Decree for permanent injunction against Valley Processing located in the Yakima Valley, WA.  The company operated three plants processing and packing juice for interstate distribution and supplying 2.9 million servings for school feeding programs. 

Inspection of plants by the FDA in 2019 disclosed a number of unsatisfactory practices relating to storage of grape and apple juices and blending of dated fresh product. The Company failed to respond adequately to FDA warning letters.  Analysis of apple juice demonstrated violative levels of arsenic and the presence of a patulin, a mycotoxin. 

Before resuming operations, Valley Processing will be required to provide 90 days notice to FDA, undergo inspections to ensure compliance with regulations and to operate under the guidance of a suitably qualified specialist consultant  in food safety.