SEATTLE — A South Seattle factory that makes tofu products was shut down by the state, and the owner of the company is apologizing to customers.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture inspected Chu Minh Tofu, and inspectors found rodent droppings, pigeons and insects near where fresh tofu was made.
On Friday, the state shut the factory down and ordered Chu Minh Tofu to stop distributing stores and restaurants.
The owner put up a sign that said the plant will be closed for at least 10 days, but inspectors said there’s a chance the place will never open again.
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter David Ham stopped by a Vietnamese restaurant and they said they stopped purchasing the tofu.
“Why? The safety we buy in the box, you know, it’s sealed in box,” said the restaurant owner.
KIRO 7 called other area restaurants, including downtown’s popular Wild Ginger. The restaurant bought tofu from the company for years until three months ago.
The chef said the tofu kept being delivered at an unsafe temperature.
KIRO 7 contacted the owner of the tofu company about the product.
“Like I said, I don’t have time right now,” said the owner.
On Thursday afternoon, the owner emailed KIRO 7 apologizing. She said she takes responsibility for poor training and lack of supervision.
State inspectors said they’ve given the owner a second chance and even a third chance to fix what was wrong.
In response, the owner said she is filing an appeal to try to get one more chance. She plans to fix the company within 10 days.
The owner also has a deli in the International District.
KIRO
