WARNING LETTER
Healthy Foods & Nutrition Lab de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
MARCS-CMS 609608 —
September 29, 2021
Delivery Method:
VIA UPS
Product:
Drugs
Recipient:
Recipient Name
Mr. Juan Pablo Maza Gomez
Recipient Title
CEO
Healthy Foods & Nutrition Lab de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Calle Curtidores No. 38 Zona Industrial Xhala
54714
Cuautitlan
,
Méx.
Mexico
Issuing Office:
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research | CDER
United States
Warning Letter
320-21-62
September 29, 2021
Dear Mr. Gomez:
Your firm was registered as a human drug manufacturer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted testing of a consumer antiseptic hand rub drug product (also referred to as a consumer hand sanitizer), labeled as HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION. This drug product was labeled as manufactured at your facility, Healthy Foods and Nutrition Lab de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., FEI 3015851305, at Calle Curtidores Num. 38 Zona Industrial Xhala, Cuautitlan. Following an attempt to import HF& NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION into the United States, it was detained and refused admission at the border.
The results of the FDA laboratory testing of a batch of this product detained at the border demonstrate that this drug product labeled as manufactured at your facility is adulterated within the meaning of section 501(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act or Act), 21 U.S.C. 351(c), in that its strength, purity, or quality falls below that which it purports or is represented to possess. In addition, this product is adulterated within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B)), in that the subpotency demonstrates that the quality assurance within your facility is not functioning in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) requirements.
In addition, HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION is an unapproved new drug introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce in violation of section 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a), and is misbranded under sections 502(a), (x), and (ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(a), (x), and (ee). Introduction or delivery for introduction of this product into interstate commerce is prohibited under sections 301(d) and (a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and (a). These violations are described in more detail below.
Adulteration Violations
HF& NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION, labeled as manufactured at your facility, is labeled to contain 70% volume/volume (v/v) of the active ingredient alcohol (ethanol). However, FDA laboratory testing of a batch of this product detained at the border found that the drug product contained an average of only 13% v/v ethanol. This hand sanitizer drug product is adulterated under section 501(c) of the FD&C Act in that the active ingredient of ethanol is present at levels in the product lower than that which is declared on its labeling.
CDC recommends
1
that, if soap and water are not readily available, consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains not less than 60% alcohol (ethanol). This is the minimum active ingredient concentration of ethanol specified in the 1994 Tentative Final Monograph for Health-Care Antiseptic Drug Products (59 FR 31402), as further amended by the “Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Proposed Amendment of the Tentative Final Monograph; Reopening of Administrative Record,” Proposed Rule, 81 FR 42912 (June 30, 2016).
On July 29, 2020, FDA held a teleconference with you and Registrar Corporation, your registered U.S. Agent at the time. We recommended that you consider removing all of your firm’s hand sanitizer drug products currently in distribution to the U.S. market. On July 30, 2020, FDA notified the public of the subpotency of your hand sanitizer drug products at the following website:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use
During the July 29, 2020 teleconference, you stated that the subpotent batch that was distributed to the U.S. was an isolated incident. However, you provided subsequent correspondence dated August 7, 2020, acknowledging that you had other subpotent batches manufactured by your firm. However, as of the date of this letter you have yet to take market action based on FDA’s recommendation.
In response to this letter provide:
• A detailed investigation into how the hand sanitizer drug product described above, which was labeled as containing 70% ethanol, in fact contained an average of 13% ethanol.
• A list of all raw materials used to manufacture your hand sanitizer drug products, including the suppliers’ names, addresses, and contact information.
• A list of all batches of any hand sanitizer drug products shipped to the United States, and a full reconciliation of all material you distributed.
• Copies of the complete batch records for all batches distributed to the U.S.
• A complete, comprehensive, independent assessment of your quality unit, including laboratory oversight, and procedures related to release decisions.
• In your August 7, 2020 correspondence, you provided information describing some of your laboratory procedures. . Provide a complete comprehensive, independent assessment of your laboratory practices, procedures, methods, equipment, documentation, and analyst competencies. Based on this review, provide a detailed plan to remediate and evaluate the effectiveness of your laboratory system.
• In your August 7, 2020 correspondence, you indicated a temporary personnel issue led to one lot of subpotent drug product shipped to the U.S. and you were able to catch other lots that were subpotent. The fact that you manufactured other subpotent lots calls into question your process validation as required under 21 CFR 211.100(a). Provide process validation procedures and protocols for all drug products you plan to ship to the U.S. in the future.
The subpotency of hand sanitizer drug products labeled as manufactured in your facility demonstrate that the quality assurance within your facility is not functioning in accordance with CGMP requirements under section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act.
2
Unapproved New Drug and Misbranding Violations
HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION is a “drug” as defined by section 201(g)(1)(B) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(B), because it is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and/or under section 201(g)(1)(C) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(C), because it is intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Specifically, this product is intended as a consumer topical antiseptic.
Examples of claims observed on the HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION product label that provide evidence of the intended uses (as defined in 21 CFR 201.128) of the product include, but may not be limited to, the following:
“Antiseptic Hand Rub . . .
Drug Facts
. . .
Uses(s)
Hand sanitizer to help reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease . . .
Directions
. . . Place enough product on hands to cover all surfaces. Rub hands together until dry.”
This topical antiseptic product is a “new drug” within the meaning of section 201(p) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(p), because it is not generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE) for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in its labeling. New drugs may not be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from FDA, as described in section 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a), unless they are lawfully marketed under section 505G of the Act (which is not the case for this product, as further described below) or other exceptions not applicable here. No FDA-approved application pursuant to section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355, is in effect for this drug product, nor are we aware of any adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in the published literature that support a determination that your HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION drug product is GRASE for use under the conditions suggested, recommended, or prescribed in its labeling. Accordingly, this product is an unapproved new drug marketed in violation of sections 505(a) and 301(d) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C 355(a) and 331(d).
We note that over-the-counter (OTC) topical antiseptic products had been the subject of rulemaking under the Agency’s OTC Drug Review. In particular, such products were addressed in a tentative final monograph (TFM) entitled “Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Tentative Final Monograph for Health-Care Antiseptic Drug Products,” Proposed Rule, 59 FR 31402 (June 17, 1994) (1994 TFM), as further amended by the “Safety and Effectiveness of Consumer Antiseptics; Topical Antimicrobial Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Proposed Amendment of the Tentative Final Monograph; Reopening of Administrative Record,” Proposed Rule, 81 FR 42912 (June 30, 2016) (Consumer Antiseptic Rubs Proposed Rule). Over the course of these rulemakings, three active ingredients (benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol (ethanol), and isopropyl alcohol) were classified as Category III for use as consumer antiseptic rub products, meaning that additional safety and effectiveness data are needed to support a determination that a drug product containing one of these active ingredients would be GRASE for use as a consumer antiseptic rub.
Section 505G of the FD&C Act, addresses nonprescription drugs marketed without an approved application. Under 505G(a)(3) of the FD&C Act, drugs that were classified as Category III in a TFM that is the most recently applicable proposal or determination for such drug issued under 21 CFR Part 330 – and that were not classified as Category II for safety or effectiveness – are not required to have an approved application under section 505 in order to be marketed, as long as they are in conformity with the relevant conditions of use outlined in the applicable TFM, including the active ingredient, and comply with all other applicable requirements.
However, HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION does not conform to the 1994 TFM, as further amended by the 2016 Consumer Antiseptic Rubs Proposed Rule, nor any other TFM, proposed rule, or final rule, and does not meet the conditions under section 505G(a)(3) of the FD&C Act for marketing without an approved application under section 505.
According to the product label, HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION purportedly contains the active ingredient ethyl alcohol 70% v/v. However, as previously discussed, FDA laboratory analysis of a batch of this product detained at the border demonstrated that HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION contains ethanol in a concentration that is less than the 70% stated on its product label and less than the amount of ethanol described in the 1994 TFM.
3
Such a product does not conform with the TFM or the applicable requirements, nor is it consistent with the formulations described in FDA’s temporary policies for hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
4
Additionally, this hand sanitizer is misbranded under section 502(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C 352(a), because its labeling is false or misleading. As noted above, HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION is labeled to contain ethanol 70% v/v. However, FDA laboratory analysis of a batch of this product demonstrate that the product contains a concentration of ethanol that is far less than that stated on its product label. Thus, the misleading representations of the concentration of the active ingredient ethanol on the HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION labeling cause this product to be misbranded under section 502(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(a).
Furthermore, this product is misbranded under section 502(x) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(x), because the product label fails to disclose a domestic address or domestic telephone number through which the responsible person may receive a report of a serious adverse event with such drug.
Lastly, this product is misbranded under section 502(ee) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 352(ee) because HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION is a nonprescription drug subject to section 505G of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355h, but does not comply with the requirements for marketing under that section and is not the subject of an application approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.
The introduction or delivery for introduction of a misbranded drug into interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
CGMP Consultant Recommended
Based upon the nature of the violations we identified at your firm, we strongly recommend engaging a consultant qualified as set forth in 21 CFR 211.34 to evaluate your operations and to assist your firm in meeting CGMP requirements if your firm intends to resume manufacturing drugs for the U.S. market. We also recommend that the qualified consultant perform a comprehensive audit of your entire operation for CGMP compliance and that the consultant evaluates the completion and efficacy of your corrective actions and preventive actions before you pursue resolution of your firm’s compliance status with FDA. Your use of a consultant does not relieve your firm’s obligation to comply with CGMP. Your firm’s executive management remains responsible for resolving all deficiencies and systemic flaws to ensure ongoing CGMP compliance.
Conclusion
The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations associated with your drug product. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of any violations and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations.
Note that FDA placed all drugs and drug products manufactured by your firm on Import Alert 66-78 on August 13, 2020, as the methods used in and controls used for the manufacture, processing, packing, or holding of these products do not appear to conform to current good manufacturing practices within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act. Drugs and drug products that appear to be adulterated or misbranded may be detained or refused admission without physical examination.
All drugs and drug products manufactured by your firm may remain listed on this import alert, until there is evidence establishing that the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation have been resolved, and the Agency has confidence that future entries will be in compliance with the FD&C Act. This may include an inspection prior to the Agency considering the appearance of adulteration to be addressed.
If you decide you want to manufacture drugs for the United States in future, request a Regulatory Meeting to discuss corrective actions.
This letter notifies you of our findings and provides you an opportunity to address the above deficiencies. After you receive this letter, respond to this office in writing within 15 working days. Specify what you have done to address any violations and to prevent their recurrence. In response to this letter, you may provide additional information for our consideration as we continue to assess your activities and practices. If you cannot do so within 15 working days, state your reasons for delay and your schedule for completion.
Send your electronic reply to CDER-OC-OMQ-Communications@fda.hhs.gov.
Please identify your response with FEI 3015851305 and ATTN: Towanda Terrell.
Sincerely,
/S/
Francis Godwin
Director
Office of Manufacturing Quality
Office of Compliance
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
CC:
Registered U.S. Agent
Registrar Corp
David Lennarz
144 Research Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
USA
(b)(6)
_____________________
1
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand-sanitizer-use.html
2
Due to an increased demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, FDA published the Guidance for Industry:
Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19)
on March 19, 2020, and subsequently updated the guidance several times, most recently on February 10, 2021. This guidance communicates the Agency’s temporary policy that we do not intend to take action against firms for CGMP violations under section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act if such firms prepare alcohol-based hand sanitizers for consumer use (or for use as a health care personnel hand rub) during the public health emergency, provided certain circumstances described in the guidance are present. These circumstances include preparation of hand sanitizer products using only the ingredients and formulas set forth in the guidance. In addition to the violative sample results detailed above that demonstrate the subpotency of the hand sanitizer product labeled as manufactured at your facility, a review of the purported formulations on the drug product’s labeling further indicates that this product is not prepared consistent with FDA’s temporary policy set forth in the guidance. Therefore, this product does not fall within the Agency’s temporary policy not to take action against firms manufacturing hand sanitizer products for violations of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act.
3
The 1994 TFM, which does not distinguish between antiseptic hand washes and rubs, proposed for antiseptic hand washes and healthcare personnel hand washes an alcohol concentration of “60 to 95 percent by volume in an aqueous solution denatured according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fireamrs regulations in 21 CFR part 20.” 59 FR 31442. Later amendments to the 1994 TFM distinguished between antiseptic hand washes and rubs, and between consumer and healthcare personnel antiseptics, but did not change the alcohol concentration originally proposed in 1994.
4
See, e.g.,
Temporary Policy for Preparation of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products During the Public Health Emergency (COVID-19)
. Because HF & NLab VERIO HEALTHCARE ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC TOPICAL SOLUTION is not consistent with the formulations described in these guidances, it does not fall within any temporary Agency policy not to take action against firms manufacturing hand sanitizer products for violations of section 505 of the FD&C Act.
4
The 1994 TFM covers health care antiseptics that are indicated for use to help reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease and health care and consumer antiseptics that are indicated for use to decrease bacteria on the skin. 59 FR at 31443.
Content current as of:
10/05/2021
Regulated Product(s)
Drugs