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Photo: FDA/FIS
FDA Flags Las Vegas Seafood Plant for Listeria and Serious HACCP Violations
UNITED STATES
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Warning Letter Cites Filth, Cross-Contamination, and Failure to Control Pathogens at Maui Seafood LLC
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a formal warning letter to Maui Seafood LLC, a ready-to-eat seafood processor located at 1741 S. Mojave Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104, citing serious food safety violations and the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in its facility.
The warning letter, dated December 10, 2025, was addressed to Owner Yong J. Chang under CMS Case #715844. It follows an FDA inspection conducted between April 28 and May 16, 2025, at the company’s Las Vegas processing plant.
 Listeria Found on Food-Contact Surfaces
During the inspection, FDA investigators collected environmental swabs from the facility. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous human pathogen, on multiple surfaces — including salmon cutting boards, drains, processing room curtains, and equipment handles.
Photo: courtesy Maui Seafoods -->
Whole genome sequencing revealed that some of the isolates matched a strain previously linked to a “smoked salmon” sample and clinical cases from 2017 and 2018, indicating the strain has caused illness in the past.
FDA officials emphasized that the presence of Listeria monocytogenes demonstrates inadequate sanitation controls and an inability to prevent contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood products.
Products Deemed “Adulterated” Under Federal Law
According to the FDA, Maui Seafood’s raw and ready-to-eat tuna and salmon products were deemed “adulterated” under Section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)).
The agency stated that the seafood had been prepared, packed, or held under “insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth or rendered injurious to health.”
Additionally, the company was cited for failing to properly implement a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan as required under Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123.
Inspection Revealed ‘Severely Polluted’ Conditions
FDA investigators documented numerous sanitation failures inside the facility:
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Cutting boards used for salmon processing were described as “heavily worn and grooved”, with brown, gray, and black grime embedded in the surfaces.
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An ice scoop used for handling raw seafood had clear tape wrapped around its handle, with visible filth accumulating in the seams.
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Environmental swabs confirmed Listeria monocytogenes on cutting boards and nearby drains.
More serious were employee hygiene violations observed during processing:
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On April 28, 2025, an employee removed fish bones, blood, scales, and debris from a drain using gloved hands, then touched hoses and plastic curtains without changing gloves or washing hands.
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A second employee handled a drain cover with bare hands and then pushed racks of tuna loins without washing.
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Workers were observed handling fish scraps from floors covered in dirty water and blood before touching ready-to-eat tuna products without changing gloves.
Inspectors also noted:
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Seven heavily soiled aprons reused without cleaning.
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White towels soaked in a bleach solution reused across cutting boards, finished salmon products, and packaging materials.
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Condensation from refrigeration units dripping directly onto boxed and partially wrapped tuna loins.
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Walls, ceilings, and condenser units coated with black, gray, and brown residue, including what appeared to be dried fish matter and mold.
 The FDA further noted that company sanitation logs marked conditions as “satisfactory” during the same period these violations were documented.
<-- Photo: courtesy Maui Seafoods
Local Closure and Reopening
Shortly after the FDA inspection concluded, the Southern Nevada Health District issued a cease-and-desist order on May 16, 2025, temporarily halting operations.
A follow-up inspection on May 22, 2025, confirmed that the company conducted repairs and performed Listeria swab testing on cutting boards, prep tables, sinks, drains, curtains, and warehouse areas. After receiving negative test results, local regulators allowed the facility to reopen.
However, the FDA stressed that local approval does not equate to federal compliance. The agency stated it remains concerned about the company’s ability to prevent future Listeria contamination and maintain long-term sanitary conditions.
Additional HACCP and Temperature Control Failures
 The FDA also cited failures in temperature monitoring and hazard controls for yellowfin tuna, big eye tuna, and fresh salmon. The company allegedly:
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Failed to properly verify internal fish temperatures during receiving.
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Did not maintain adequate data logger records during transport exceeding specified hours.
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Failed to document daily cooler temperature checks.
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Listed a storage critical limit above the FDA-recommended 38°F (3.3°C) threshold for controlling Clostridium botulinum growth.
Between January 2 and April 29, 2025, the company recorded multiple consumer complaints related to tuna quality issues, including color changes and browning, but failed to document corrective actions. Some returned products may have been resold, according to inspection findings.
Photo: courtesy Maui Seafoods -->
Fifteen Business Days to Respond
The warning letter requires Maui Seafood LLC to submit corrective action documentation within 15 working days of receipt. Failure to comply could result in product seizure, injunction, or suspension of the company’s food facility registration.
The letter was signed by Maria S. Knirk, JD, MBA, Acting Director of the Office of Enforcement within the FDA’s Human Foods Program.
Public Health Implications
Listeriosis, the illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, can be life-threatening, particularly for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. It can lead to sepsis, meningitis, miscarriage, or neonatal infection.
In the U.S. ready-to-eat seafood market — particularly for refrigerated or raw tuna and salmon — strict microbiological control and effective HACCP implementation are considered critical safeguards.
The case underscores the importance of rigorous sanitation standards in seafood processing facilities and highlights the FDA’s continued enforcement focus on pathogen control in high-risk ready-to-eat foods.
🇯🇵 日本語版（Japanese）
FDA、ラスベガスの水産加工工場をリステリア菌および重大なHACCP違反で指摘
警告書でマウイ・シーフードLLCの不潔な環境、交差汚染、病原菌管理の失敗を指摘
U.S. Food and Drug Administration（FDA）は、ネバダ州ラスベガス 1741 S. Mojave Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104 に所在する即食用水産加工業者 Maui Seafood LLC に対し、重大な食品安全違反および Listeria monocytogenes の施設内検出を理由に正式な警告書を発出した。
2025年12月10日付の警告書は、CMS Case #715844 として オーナー Yong J. Chang 宛てに送付された。これは、2025年4月28日から5月16日 にかけて同社 ラスベガス 加工施設で実施されたFDA査察に続くものである。
食品接触面からリステリア菌を検出
査察中、FDA調査官は施設内で環境スワブ検体を採取した。検査の結果、サーモン用まな板、排水口、加工室カーテン、機器ハンドルを含む複数箇所から Listeria monocytogenes（危険なヒト病原菌）が確認された。
全ゲノム解析の結果、一部の分離株は 2017年および2018年 の臨床症例や「smoked salmon」サンプル由来株と一致し、過去に疾病を引き起こした株であることが示された。
FDAは、Listeria monocytogenes の存在は衛生管理体制が不十分であり、即食用水産製品の汚染防止ができていないことを示すと強調した。
連邦法の下で「不良品」と認定
FDAによると、同社の 生および即食用マグロ・サーモン製品 は、連邦食品・医薬品・化粧品法 第402条(a)(4)（21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)） に基づき「adulterated（不良）」と判断された。
製品は「不潔な環境下で調製・包装・保管され、汚染または健康被害を引き起こす可能性がある」とされた。
さらに、Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123 に基づく HACCP（危害分析重要管理点）計画 の適切な実施を怠ったとして違反が指摘された。
「深刻に汚染された」環境
査察では以下が確認された：
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サーモン加工用まな板は**「著しく摩耗し溝だらけ」**で、茶色、灰色、黒色の汚れが蓄積。
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氷用スコップのハンドルに透明テープが巻かれ、継ぎ目に汚れが堆積。
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排水口や作業台から Listeria monocytogenes を検出。
さらに：
地元当局による一時閉鎖と再開
Southern Nevada Health District は 2025年5月16日 に営業停止命令を出した。
2025年5月22日 の再査察後、陰性結果を受け営業再開が承認されたが、FDAは依然として長期的な管理体制に懸念を示した。
HACCPおよび温度管理の追加違反
FDAは yellowfin tuna、big eye tuna、fresh salmon の温度管理不備も指摘：
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受入時の内部温度確認不備
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輸送中データロガー記録不足
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推奨 38°F（3.3°C） 以下未達
2025年1月2日から4月29日 の間に品質苦情が複数記録されたが是正措置なし。
15営業日以内の回答要求
Maui Seafood LLC は 15営業日以内 に是正計画を提出する必要がある。従わない場合、製品差押えや登録停止の可能性がある。
警告書は Maria S. Knirk, JD, MBA（FDA人間用食品プログラム執行部代理ディレクター）が署名した。
公衆衛生への影響
リステリア症は妊婦、高齢者、新生児、免疫不全者に特に危険であり、敗血症や流産を引き起こす可能性がある。
本件は、即食用水産加工業界における厳格な衛生管理の重要性を改めて示すものである。
🇨🇳 简体中文版（Chinese Simplified）
FDA点名拉斯维加斯海鲜加工厂存在李斯特菌及严重HACCP违规行为
警告信指出毛伊海鲜公司存在污秽环境、交叉污染及病原体控制失败问题
U.S. Food and Drug Administration（FDA）已向位于内华达州拉斯维加斯 1741 S. Mojave Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104的即食海鲜加工企业 Maui Seafood LLC 发出正式警告信，原因是发现严重食品安全违规行为以及在设施内检出 Listeria monocytogenes。
该警告信日期为2025年12月10日，案件编号为 CMS Case #715844，收件人为公司所有人 Yong J. Chang。此前，FDA于2025年4月28日至5月16日对其拉斯维加斯工厂进行了检查。
食品接触表面检出李斯特菌
FDA在检查期间采集环境拭子样本，实验室确认在三文鱼切割板、排水口、加工区门帘及设备把手等多个位置检出 Listeria monocytogenes。
全基因组测序显示，其中部分菌株与2017年和2018年的临床病例及“smoked salmon”样本菌株一致。
FDA强调，Listeria monocytogenes 的存在表明企业卫生控制措施不足。
产品被认定为“掺假”
FDA表示，公司生食及即食金枪鱼和三文鱼产品根据**《联邦食品、药品和化妆品法》第402(a)(4)条（21 U.S.C. § 342(a)(4)）**被认定为“adulterated”。
此外，公司未按Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 123实施合规的HACCP计划。
“严重污染”的现场环境
检查发现：
地方停业令与复工
Southern Nevada Health District 于2025年5月16日下达停业令。
2025年5月22日复查后允许复工，但FDA表示仍存在长期风险。
额外HACCP和温控违规
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未核实内部鱼体温度
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未保持运输数据记录
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未维持低于 38°F（3.3°C）
2025年1月2日至4月29日期间记录多起投诉但未采取措施。
15个工作日内必须回复
Maui Seafood LLC 必须在15个工作日内提交整改文件，否则可能面临扣押或注册暂停。
该信由 Maria S. Knirk, JD, MBA 签署。
公共卫生影响
李斯特菌对孕妇、老年人和免疫力低下者尤其危险。
该事件再次强调即食海鲜行业严格卫生管理的重要性。
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