FDA WarningJuicer Connections Inc. makes juice products in Los Angeles that it wants consumers to believe are really good. So, for example, it suggests that by drinking them consumers will be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

In a warning letter to the owner Steven A. Mullen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first told Juice Connections Inc. its juices are adulterated.

It then went on to explain how, under the law, the juice company is making drug claims.

After an FDA inspection lasting from May 11 to April 2, the agency’s “investigators found serious violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act…” In the Sept. 21 warning letter that was made public in recent days, FDA said Juice Connections does not have a juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plan (HACCP).

The company responded to FDA’s inspection observations with a “newly created HACCP plans, product formulations, a Sanitation Standard Operation Procedures (SSOP) document, and blank monitoring records.”

But FDA continues to have extensive and detailed concerns about the juice maker. In the warning letter the agency said the juice produced is not recognized as a safe and effective drug. In addition, the products are misbranded as they do not declare a net quantity on the label in addition to numerous other labeling errors.

FDA wants the many remaining issues cleared up within 15 working days.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)