Yakima fruit juice manufacturing company pleads guilty to food safety crimes [Video]

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — The former president and primary owner of the now-closed fruit juice manufacturer Valley Processing Inc. (VPI) in Sunnyside, Washington pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges related to the manufacture and sale of tainted fruit juice products in violation of federal food safety laws.

The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington says 83-year-old Mary Ann Bliesner pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts under the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA) including failing to register a food facility with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Bliesner also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor FDCA violation for failing to prevent and correct VPI’s introduction of spoiled grape juice concentrate into interstate commerce, including grape juice concentrate that was delivered for use in the National School …