The state Department of Health said it issued a Notice of Violation and Order against Kanemitsu Inc. and George Kanemitsu dba Kanemitsu's Bakery for selling, offering for sale, and distributing food products manufactured and prepared at its facility under unsanitary conditions.

A penalty of $90,000 has been issued for violations that occurred from March 7 to March 8 this year.

Kanemitsu's Bakery owns and operates the facility on the island of Molokai, where baked goods and other food products are manufactured and distributed statewide under the Kanemitsu's Bakery brand.

On March 7, an inspection by health officials uncovered serious deficiencies in the maintenance and manufacturing practices conducted at the facility, including: improper cleaning and sanitizing of cooking implements and surfaces, inadequate control of rodents, lack of hot water, and general unsanitary conditions.

The bakery was instructed not to manufacture, sell, or distribute any products until the deficiencies had been corrected.

The violations leading to the $90,000 fine occurred when the bakery continued to offer products for sale prior to health officials lifting its order to suspend operations.

On March 9, the Department of Health determined that the bakery had successfully corrected its major violations and has since been allowed to continue its business.

The bakery is being required to address remaining deficiencies and develop a maintenance plan to ensure unsanitary conditions do not reoccur.

No illnesses related to the consumption of food from the facility have been reported.

Kanemitsu Bakery Inc. was subjected to an enforcement action by health officials in August 2000 for similar unsanitary conditions.