The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 requires all food facilities to register with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so that any imported product is inspected in an effort to protect the nation’s food supply. Once businesses comply with federal specifications – minus any health concerns such as salmonella or pesticides – the import is legally permitted on American soil.
For an Italian pastry plant located in Yadkinville, where sources say 100 jobs are to be added to the Nonni’s Food Company plant, production and hiring has been slowed down by FDA regulations – an investigation into labeling and imported oregano from Greece. Asked why Nonni’s, who is registered, specifically is being investigated, an FDA source said they had no idea and no record.
A company is given between 30 to 90 days to make required FDA changes, which for labeling is typically making sure the product includes country of origin, ingredients and net weight. Nonni’s has been in business since 1988 and is owned by Vivartia SA, an international food company headquartered in Greece with operations in 29 countries.
An employee with the Secretary of Commerce said the state is “not involved with the hold up of these jobs,” however, they have given the company different suggestions on who to call to help expedite the process of establishing their product and to get people back to work.
The Yadkinville plant is to bring 172 new jobs over three years. Average starting salary for the new jobs is $29,570 not including benefits. The Yadkin County average annual salary is $26,156. The unemployment rate in Yadkin County hovers around 11 percent.
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