The Food and Drug Administration has cited a Seattle donut bakery for having live flies and snails and numerous rat droppings, hair and nests near food products.
In a warning letter to the business posted Wednesday, the FDA said the Donut Factory in Georgetown had "serious violations" during several inspections in November.
Inspectors found signs of rodent infestation, with hair or droppings near donut mix and buckets of apple filling and maple icing; on top of an unused fryer and a ventilation hood; and on the steps to a break room.
Flies were also found near racks of finished donuts waiting to be packaged. One fly was seen landing on some dough. Two live snails were found under a pallet of paper packaging materials.
The owner told an investigator last year that employees didn't wash utensils, pots and racks with soap, because it would "alter the taste of the product," according to the warning letter.
Instead, they rinsed tools in boiling water and dipped them in a bleach solution. The inspector said that method was ineffective.
The status of the Donut Factory - and distribution of their products - was unclear Wednesday. A number for the business, located at 6560 5th Ave. S., was disconnected. The owner could not be reached for comment.
A Yelp listing for the Donut Factory described it as "closed." Another site described it as a "retail bakery."
According to the FDA letter, the business had 15 days from Feb. 8 to correct the problems, or face possible seizure or shut-down. A call and email to the FDA Wednesday were not immediately returned.
Seattlepi.com is a media partner of KOMO News
In a warning letter to the business posted Wednesday, the FDA said the Donut Factory in Georgetown had "serious violations" during several inspections in November.
Inspectors found signs of rodent infestation, with hair or droppings near donut mix and buckets of apple filling and maple icing; on top of an unused fryer and a ventilation hood; and on the steps to a break room.
Flies were also found near racks of finished donuts waiting to be packaged. One fly was seen landing on some dough. Two live snails were found under a pallet of paper packaging materials.
The owner told an investigator last year that employees didn't wash utensils, pots and racks with soap, because it would "alter the taste of the product," according to the warning letter.
Instead, they rinsed tools in boiling water and dipped them in a bleach solution. The inspector said that method was ineffective.
The status of the Donut Factory - and distribution of their products - was unclear Wednesday. A number for the business, located at 6560 5th Ave. S., was disconnected. The owner could not be reached for comment.
A Yelp listing for the Donut Factory described it as "closed." Another site described it as a "retail bakery."
According to the FDA letter, the business had 15 days from Feb. 8 to correct the problems, or face possible seizure or shut-down. A call and email to the FDA Wednesday were not immediately returned.
Seattlepi.com is a media partner of KOMO News