Petco DC has pest problem
U.S. Marshals, at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, last Thursday seized various animal food products stored in unsanitary conditions at a Petco distribution center in Joliet, Ill.
The raid followed an FDA inspection in April in which widespread rodent and bird infestation was found in violation of federal law, the agency said. Another inspection in May revealed that the infestation problem was ongoing.
“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, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, in a statement. “Consumers expect that such safeguards will be in place not only for human food, but for pet food as well.”
The Joliet DC 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.
The FDA said it has not received any 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.