The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has suspended the food processing license for a Gold Bar canning company following on-going sanitation problems and violations of food processing standards at the facility, as well as a lack of cooperation from management.
G. Wolf Enterprises, also known as Wolf Pack Cannery, is a food processing operation that cans and jars products for small farmers and businesses in the region. WSDA ordered the company to cease all food processing operations as of Sept. 13.
In previous visits, WSDA food safety inspectors have noted violations of food processing laws and standards that included wooden storage trays that could not be properly sanitized, a lack of clear separation between processing rooms and a machine shop, mildew in a walk-in cooler, jar lids stored in open containers leaving them easily contaminated and deviations from proper canning processes that could lead to illness.
On Sept.12, WSDA food safety officers began a routine inspection of the facility but were unable to complete their inspection due to interference by company management, a violation of state regulations that require food processing license holders to permit the unimpeded inspection of their facilities.
WSDA may reinstate the company’s license if the company allows the inspectors access and complies with all food processing requirements.
Customers who may have used Wolf Pack Cannery to process their products should contact USDA's Food Safety and Consumer Services Division at OCO@agr.wa.gov or 360-902-1942.
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