Feds: PETCO warehouse infested with rodents, birds
June 19, 2008Recommend
STNG WIRE REPORTS
(JOLIET) U.S. Marshals have seized pet food stored under allegedly unsanitary conditions in a rodent-infested west suburban PETCO distribution center.
Federal agents, acting on behalf of the FDA, found widespread and active rodent and bird infestation at the PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. distribution center at 3801 Rock Creek Blvd. in Joliet, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The action was taken after the FDA filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday and obtained a warrant to seize the products, the release said. The suit alleges food was stored in the facility under unsanitary conditions, the release said
The distribution center, run by the San Diego-based PETCO, stores pet food products and supplies for PETCO retail stores in 16 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
According to the complaint, the FDA inspected the warehouse in April 2008, and found live and dead rodents and birds on or around the containers of pet food, as well as rodent pellets and bird droppings throughout the facility. Inspectors allegedly found holes and gaps in the warehouse allowing entry for the birds and rodents, and observed debris outside the building that can harbor rodents.
FDA investigators informed PETCO management in late April of their findings, but a followup inspection last month confirmed continuing, widespread rodent and bird infestation, according to the complaint. Investigators at the May inspection continued to see live and dead rodents and birds on or around the food containers, some of which had been gnawed and defiled by excrement, the suit alleges.
The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act permits the seizure and condemnation of food, including food for animals, shipped in interstate commerce that has been “adulterated” or held for sale under unsanitary conditions where it might have been contaminated with filth, the release said.
Officials emphasized there are no known immediate public health risks posed by the seized pet food and no incidents of human or animal illness have been traced to products stored at the warehouse.
