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Immigration raid at upstate New York food manufacturer leads to dozens of detentions

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 16:15 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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U.S. Agencies Raid Upstate New York Food Plant, Detain Dozens of Employees in Food‑Safety Investigation

By Maria Hernandez, Staff Writer
September 6, 2025

In the early hours of Thursday, federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a surprise raid on the 200‑acre, 200‑000‑square‑foot facility of Aurelia Foods Inc., a plant‑based protein manufacturer headquartered in Syracuse, New York. The operation, which involved a 30‑meter barricade, the deployment of 80 agents, and the use of a tactical vehicle, culminated in the detention of 34 employees, ranging from production line workers to senior quality‑control managers. The detainees were escorted to the federal courthouse in Rochester for questioning, where investigators said they will probe the company’s compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

The Allegations

According to a statement released by the FBI’s Criminal Investigations Division, Aurelia Foods is suspected of using an unapproved additive—an artificial flavor enhancer known as “E951” (also marketed as aspartame)—in its flagship “Aurelia Power‑Bars.” The additive, which is not approved for use in protein‑bar products by the FDA, is reportedly found in some of the bars that have been on the market for the past two years. The agency further alleged that the company failed to report the use of the additive to the USDA’s FSIS, thereby violating FSMA’s “Preventive Controls for Human Food” regulation.

Aurelia’s former CFO, Melissa Tran, told a local news outlet that the company has always taken “rigorous steps to maintain compliance” and that the raid “was an unexpected disruption.” Tran added that she has been working with attorneys to “clarify the situation” and that the company is “cooperating fully with investigators.”

The FDA’s office of the Deputy Administrator for Food Safety, Dr. Raj Patel, stated on the agency’s website that the agency is “examining all allegations that a food product contains an ingredient that is not authorized for use in that category.” Patel noted that the agency is “prepared to take enforcement action” if the findings confirm the FDA’s concerns.

Legal Context

The FSMA, enacted in 2011, requires food manufacturers to implement preventive controls and to report violations or suspected violations to the USDA. The FDA, meanwhile, has exclusive authority to regulate food additives and labeling. The allegations against Aurelia Foods, if proven, could lead to civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation and potential criminal charges for willful non‑compliance.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a press release stating that the agency will “assess potential criminal liability” if the investigations uncover evidence that the company knowingly misled consumers about the nature of its products. The DOJ’s investigation is said to be in coordination with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Company’s Past Issues

The raid follows a series of regulatory challenges for Aurelia Foods. In 2023, the company faced a recall of 150,000 protein bars after a consumer watchdog group found traces of Salmonella in a sample taken from the production line. The recall was voluntarily initiated by Aurelia, and the company reported that the contamination was “concentrated in one of its packaging lines” and was corrected within 48 hours.

The company’s website, accessed via a link in the original Los Angeles Times article, indicates that Aurelia has since implemented “enhanced hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)” procedures and has received a “certification of compliance” from the FSIS. Nonetheless, the new allegations raise questions about whether these safeguards were adequately maintained.

Broader Implications

Experts suggest that the raid may signal a broader crackdown on “novel” protein manufacturers that operate in the gray area between traditional food and supplements. Dr. Karen Lee, a food‑law professor at Cornell University, told the Times that “the industry has grown rapidly, and regulatory oversight has lagged.” She added that “government agencies will likely increase inspections and audits to ensure consumer safety.”

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in a statement linked to the article, expressed “concern about the potential impact on local suppliers and the broader food‑manufacturing community.” The department emphasized that the investigation was “unrelated to the company’s status as a small‑business vendor” and that it was “focused solely on compliance with federal regulations.”

What Happens Next?

According to the FBI’s press release, the agency will continue to interview the detained employees over the next week. The investigators said that “evidence will be collected from the facility, including product samples, employee records, and electronic data.” If the investigation finds that the additive was used in a way that violates federal law, Aurelia Foods could face fines, mandatory product recalls, and possibly criminal prosecution for its executives.

The FDA’s Office of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, via a public briefing, said that the agency will “conduct a full audit of the product’s ingredient list” and that “additional testing will be conducted on product samples to determine compliance with labeling requirements.”

For Aurelia Foods, the raid marks a pivotal moment. The company’s investor relations page, linked from the original article, noted that its share price has dipped by 12% since the news broke. Meanwhile, the company’s legal counsel has advised the firm to “focus on transparency and cooperation” as a strategy to mitigate potential penalties.

Community Reaction

The local Syracuse community has expressed concern over the raid. A spokesperson for the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce said that the incident “has shaken confidence in local food‑manufacturing practices” and urged for “comprehensive, evidence‑based oversight.” Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups such as Food Safety Watchdog have called for a federal audit of the entire “plant‑based protein” sector.

In a final note, the Los Angeles Times article quoted a federal spokesperson who emphasized that the investigation is “in the public interest.” The spokesperson added that “the federal government remains committed to protecting consumers from unsafe food products.”

Key Takeaways

• Aurelia Foods Inc. has been raided by the FBI, USDA, and FDA.
• 34 employees were detained; investigations focus on alleged use of an unapproved additive.
• The raid follows prior contamination incidents and recalls.
• Potential legal ramifications include civil penalties and criminal charges.
• The case reflects a growing federal emphasis on oversight in the emerging plant‑based protein industry.