Acting at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. marshals in June seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions at the Petco distribution center in Joliet, Ill., pursuant to a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court in Chicago.

The marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to contamination by rodents and other pests. According to FDA, the seized products violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

FDA found widespread and active rodent and bird infestation during an inspection of the distribution center in April. It found continuing and widespread infestation during a re-inspection in May.

“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 Glavin, FDA’s 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 provides pet food products and supplies to Petco stores in 16 states, including Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

At press time, FDA had received no reports of pet illness or death associated with foods from the distribution center, and had no evidence that the foods were unsafe for animals. However, it reported that the seized products were in permeable packages that could allow the integrity of the food to be compromised.

As a precaution, FDA advises consumers who handle products originating from the distribution center to wash their hands, food packages and any surfaces that come in contact with the food packages, thoroughly with hot water and soap.

Since the May inspection, we have acted aggressively to address every concern raised by the FDA,” Jim Myers, Petco’s chief executive officer, wrote on June 21 on the Petco Web site. “As an organization and as pet parents, all of us at Petco, starting with me, are committed to complying fully with all FDA requirements, and we are working with officials to understand and address any continuing concerns.” [August 2008 PET AGE]