PETCO Sold Pet Food Seized by FDA Under Warrrant: Sixteen States Affected
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized large amounts of food products intended for sale at PETCO stores in sixteen states because the Supplies Distribution Center located in Joliet, IL was deemed in April (!) to be filthy and unsanitary.
The following is the entire release posted to the FDA’s website dated June 19th.
Today, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions at the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center located in Joliet, Ill., pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court in Chicago.
U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination. The seized products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because it was alleged in a case filed by the United States Attorney that they were being held under unsanitary conditions. (The Act uses the term “insanitary” to describe such conditions).
During an FDA inspection of a PETCO distribution center in April, widespread and active rodent and bird infestation was found. The FDA inspected the facility again in May and found continuing and widespread infestation.
“We simply will not allow a company to store foods under filthy and unsanitary conditions that occur as a direct result of the company’s failure to adequately control and prevent pests in its facility,” said Margaret O’K. Glavin, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Consumers expect that such safeguards will be in place not only for human food, but for pet food as well.”
The distribution center in Joliet, Ill., provides pet food products and supplies to PETCO retail stores in 16 states including Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
FDA has no reports of pet illness or death associated with consumption of animal food distributed by PETCO, and does not have evidence that the food is unsafe for animals. However, the seized products were in permeable packages and held under conditions that could affect the food’s integrity and quality.
As a precaution, consumers who have handled products originating from the PETCO distribution center should thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Any surfaces that came in contact with the packages should be washed as well. Consumers are further advised as a precaution to thoroughly wash products sold in cans and glass containers from PETCO in the 16 affected states.
The FDA also requests you contact a consumer complaint coordinator if you believe your pet has been harmed by food bought from PETCO.
Running a large business means huge challenges to provide for constant and complete vigilant oversight of the entire operation, but we must demand that any company that sells nourishment for our pets adhere to the highest possible standards to ensure 100% sanitary and healthy conveyance of all
items they sell at all times.
It’s horrifying that the report states that the Jolliet facility of PETCO twice failed sanitary examinations by exhibiting ‘widespread and active rodent and bird infestation’ and eventually had to have food product seized by warrant so it could no longer be sold on shelves.
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I am not surprised (sad to say), but every Petco I have ever been in has smelled bad & appeared dirty. Some so bad I had to hold my breath as escape quickly!!! Even the newly opened ones don’t stay clear (appearing) but for a short few weeks. I guess it is just not the Petco corporate mission to maintain cleanliness!!! I made it a practice several years ago to NEVER take my dog there and to only purchase non food items.
I don’t know how PetSmart does it, but their stores (that I’ve been in) have always been clean and orderly, and void of smell. I do not work for PetSmart or own any PetSmart stock; I am simply a customer.
Wake up Petco executives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I thought it was just me who always thought the Petco in Humble, TX smells bad! It’s pretty sad to know that other Petco stores do too. That sure doesn’t say much for that company! Thank goodness Petsmart is so wonderful!
I do agree that PetSmart tends to be wayyy cleaner than PetCo. Besides, my boyfriend works at our PetSmart, so we always go there anyway instead of PetCo! bol.
It is a shame! The company should be sued.It is no excuse the fact that they are a large company. They are dealing with lives here.
Where we live in South Carolina, it is the opposite. Here, the PetSmart is shabby and the PetCo is clean and well stocked. But I am still horrified to hear about this problem. I cannot and will not assume that my PetCo is safe just because it isn’t on the distribution list. If it happened in Illinois, it can happen anywhere. Unfortunately, we have no small, indivually owned pet boutiques here. Other than some pet stores, which are nothing but puppy mill supporters, PetCo and PetSmart are it. Once again the mighty dollar is the priority instead of the consumer, which in this case is helpless animals. As Apple said, they are dealing with lives here and should make every effort to safeguard those lives!!
Here they are about the same. The Petco stores are new, clean, and the staff is very helpful. They do a lot for the rescue organizations, especially the breed specific rescues.
The Petco here has items you cannot find anywhere else.
Mary murray
I also live in Texas and the Petco on the east side of Houston is really bad. I went there for a Pet adoption with a local rescue group and we actually found a dead pigeon inside the store by the front window and it smelled really bad. We had to clean the area we were to set up in before we could set up. So I’m not suprised at all by Petco’s shabby distribution center.
It’s frightening to realize just how little control exists over something as basic as what we feed our pets. As you start to delve into what can go into pet food, how the food is stored becomes almost secondary. It is incomprehensible to me how a company as large as Petco can let a situation like was discovered in their warehouse become so out of hand. Based on this recall, it seems fair to say that Petco cares more about their profit line than about ehancing the lives of pets.
Yep! That is why we have never used Petco. We when we have to do some shopping at PetsMart however we honestly prefer and do use the smaller mom and pop operations that sell upper grade dog food and supplies such as TAILWAGGERS in Hollywood or other non chain stores. We have found that ultimately, they are better equipped to take the personal touch and get to know your dog and you, therefore getting better customer service and better products as you request them. Chain stores don’t care what is on the shelf or who buys it. Dump the chains and shop mom and pop. My dog is happier for it I am sure! Bob & Jake, guardians to Pita.
check out that website look at what they do at Petco it will
make you sick and you will not buy from there again
We must protect our pets and take the time to read the labels on food, snacks and toys that we purchase for our pets. My pets deserve human grade food and non toxic toys!
Anne-Lise Stannard
http://www.planetbluedog.com
I never shop at Petco anymore, and haven’t for years. The one here in southeast Wisconsin is like the others have stated, filthy and smelly, and the staff seemed to prefer hiding in the storeroom as opposed to interacting with , or helping the customers, or heaven forbid, actually CLEANING!!!!! Like Bob and Pita, I purchase my premium dog food at a lttle independant shop. All other items are easily found through the many pet catalogs, and at lower prices than Petco charges for the same item. I would prefer to not give my dog toys that other dogs have urinated on, and I have seen that happen in the past at Petco!
In Sarasota, FL the Vets refer to the local Petco as Deathco! Just last week I bought a few boxes of Nutro Natural Large Breed puppy treats. I brought them home dumped them in the treat container and the box was INFESTED with these little bugs with wings and nests, I brought them right back to the store EVERY box on the shelf had the same problem. I’ve contacted Petco and Nutro via e-mail and have not heard back from either. We are no longer buying any Nutro products OR shopping at Petco.