Rice Cake Manufacturer’s License Revoked for Sanitation Problems

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has revoked the food processing license of Mu Kung Hwa Oriental Food, a producer of traditional Korean rice cakes, after several inspections found on-going sanitation problems.  The food maker was also hit with a $11,900 fine and required to destroy all products at its facilities in Parkland, WA. Notices about the license revocation have been sent to all known retail outlets and restaurants that have purchased or carry Mu Kung Hwa Oriental Food products.  As a result of these actions, the company cannot process any food at this location. Mu Kung Hwa Oriental Food has 10 days to appeal and request that the agency reconsider the order, but it cannot operate during that appeal period.  The move comes after several visits by WSDA inspectors to the facilities in which they found problems with unsanitary conditions, poor sanitation practices by employees, and a general failure to protect food products from contamination. During the most recent visit, inspectors noted that several problems observed during earlier inspections had not been addressed.  WSDA had twice issued orders to suspend Mu Kung Hwa Oriental Food’s processing license. Both times, the company signed settlement agreements in which they promised to meet food processing requirements but failed to do so. The most recent agreement was in April 2012.  Consumers who purchased Mu Kung Hwa Oriental Food products are advised to dispose of them.