A rodent problem and labeling errors were cited in an inspection report filed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after it visited the ADAO food manufacturing facility in Denver.

Some foods in ADAO’s product line — Double Cheese Stack sandwiches, Grilled Chicken & Provolone Cheese sandwiches and Mediterranean and Mandarin Orange salad items — were found to be misbranded, because they did not declare all allergens, and other conditions within the plant caused the products manufactured there to be considered adulterated “in that they have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been contaminated with filth, or whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health.”

In addition, a May 6 warning letter to the Colorado company cites a long list of labeling errors that FDA says constitute “misbranding” under federal law.

Other violations cited:

— Eleven apparent rodent excreta pellets found on a plastic tote containing packages of elbow pasta, bow-tie pasta, and rice paper.

— At least four apparent rodent pellets on a clear plastic container holding cleaned and sanitized utensils used during food production.

— Rodent excreta pellets too numerous to count around the entire perimeter of an old dairy cooler room.

— Approximately 154 apparent rodent excreta pellets in the southwest corner of the hummus production room, underneath and behind food storage and equipment racks; 54 rodent excreta pellets in the southwestern portion of the hummus production room; and 14 pellets in the hallway.

— Gaps around the loading dock door that allowed the entry of pests into the building.

— A door to the exterior kitchen that did not close tightly, leaving gaps to the outside.

— Unused wooden pallets, soil and vegetable debris, and other trash stacked along a southwest exterior wall.

— Other unused equipment, wooden pallets, litter and waste that was creating a harborage for pests in the garage area.

— Floors and ceilings not in good repair, making cleaning difficult.  Unsealed bricks were collecting food debris.

— Celery was draining in one basin while employees washed their hands in an adjacent sink.  Soiled food and equipment on the drain board.

ADAO’s misbranding violations included failure to declare common food allergens, and how it lists ingredients and sub-ingredients.

FDA told the Denver company to correct all violations within 15 working days from receipt of the May 6 warning letter.