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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