UK-based H Forman & Sons owner Lance Forman agrees with all the recommendations put forward in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s May 12 warning letter, he told IntraFish.
The warning was issued because the smokehouse did not respond by the FDA's deadline with the documentation requested because its food safety manager was self-isolating for COVID-19 as a vulnerable person, Forman said.
"The reason for the warning now was not due to any serious violations that we disagree with," Forman said.
"The new recommendations put forward by this inspector, as opposed to the previous inspector, are all recommendations that we agree with and agreed verbally to comply with on his visit."
The FDA informed Forman that his response to the warning on May 19 was not sufficient for not discussing a revised HACCP plan, monitoring records or an explanation of corrective efforts.
The response deadline was set right after H Forman & Sons was hit by the total collapse of the foodservice sector in the United Kingdom and the United States, so the company prioritized saving its business, Forman said.
The company has been in close contact with the FDA within the new extended deadline to clear the matter.
Earlier this year, H Forman & Sons had a routine inspection from the FDA since the company ships its smoked salmon products to the United States. It marked the second official inspection in nine years.
The company is supposed to receive inspections every three years, according to Forman.
