Posted on 06/21/2008 8:29:57 AM PDT by Peace4EarthNow
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.
If a pet has become ill after eating these food products, pet owners should contact their veterinarian and report illnesses to FDA state consumer complaint coordinators.
Dog list ping request....
Media Inquiries:
Kimberly Rawlings, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA
Kitty list ping request...
I’ve noticed the local Petco no longer carries high end birds and the reptile inventory looked low last time I was there. In fact, the entire inventory looked low. I didn’t know if it was the one location, or if the entire chain was in trouble.
Sounds like the problems are broader.
And now for this important DOGGIEPING Announcement!
I've lost my list! I did a deep clean of my computer and I guess inadvertently deleted the folder I kept the ping list in.
If you were previously on my ping list and would still like to be on the list now, please let me know... I am re-building the list from scratch!
What kind of pet food would be in permeable containers? You'd be able to tell if a bag had been torn into.
Did the dog eat your list?
Put me back on, lol.
Heh... Yeah - will do.
You have to have other than minimum wage workers and those not just coming off welfare that give a dam. I’ve seen this before with other suppliers. Management needs to stay on top of it or it will get worse.
Some bagged foods would be permeable to liquids. Maybe they are concerned about rodent urine? If the warehouse roof leaks bagged food could be contaminated by liquified rodent feces seeping through the bag.
PETCO allows dogs to come inside the store if they are on a leash. They have a series of waist-level bins displaying various dog treats. It probably was kind of unsanitary that our dog was treating this like a like a smorgasbord.
I am wondering if they should add Mississippi to that list? Since Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee border Miss. it would make sense that the same distribution center would service Miss.
RATS? in a WAREHOUSE? Unbelievable! Disgraceful!
I’m sure glad the FDA has gotten everything else under control, so that they can focus on issues like this...
Nanny staters, under the guise of "it's for the puppies"!
Thanks...I shop PetCo here in Texas. Looks like it is time to find another source...
Our cat died a few years back of kidney failure after changing foods. Coincidentally, the food was purchased at PETCO (first time we used them).
I have been in Petco a few times and each time we were there, the store was virtually empty.
They are more expensive than Petsmart by far as well.
They are building a new Petco in Killeen, TX. I think it’s due to open in late July.
Were there any tomatoes stored there? Maybe the FDC can stumble onto the source of the salmonella outbreak via faulty pet food storage.
Do not support PetCo. They are a major outlet for puppy mills.
PETCO does not sell puppies.
EXACTLY! When I think of some of the things my dog has dragged inside and gulped down before I could get it away from him...
This is such a weird coincidence.
Earlier this week, I purchased a bag of dog food at PetSmart. The day after I opened it, I noticed that it smelled a little “off.” I dumped part of the bag out, only to find a badly decomposed animal (I assume it was a mouse). It was so decomposed and partially liquified that it was covered in kibble; kind of like a salted nut roll.
The stench was hideous, I was literally sick.
I called the manufacturer. They explained to me that rodents can indeed make their way into the bags through the area at the top where the bag is folded over...there does not necessarily have to be a tear in the bag. However, said rodent cannot get out of the bag and may become trapped. They were very interested in the retailer...I guess this is the reason.
Here we go again with the pet food contamination. Since last year I have been very careful what my cats eat for cat food. The no-kill cat shelter I volunteer is also very careful what cat food the cats/kittens eat. =^..^=
It’s truly a terrible thing when one cannot trust ones own Government. All the crap going on past and present within our Government relative to their power over the people versus their appropriately representing our will leaves me suspicious of their every move.
China was the culprit initially with the melamine in product used for pet foods am I correct. Chinese seafood, and other Chinese foodstuffs came under fire as well for illegal drug use in processing and various other unhealthy reasons.
I wish I could have been in the PetCo DC to see for myself the circumstances. Was it a holding area for return product the Marshall’s raided? Was it truly involving product for distribution? Was this a slap in the face upon an American Firm to lessen the blows on our Governments’ Most Favored Nation’s honor?
This could be a political ploy. Everything coming out of Government is anymore.
PETCO does not sell pets. They work with many animal shelters to have adoption days at the local PETCOS.
I’m sure I’d notice if a bag or box of pet food I bought at Petco had been nibbled or was stained with mouse pee or bird poop to a degree that might have gotten through to the food inside. This really sounds like a poor use of resources by the FDA. The only things in pet food that have ever sickened or killed a pet were things that were inside the container long before it arrived at a retailer’s distribution center, namely the melamine-laced protein ingredient from China.
Add me to the new list please.
If Petco just had a couple dozen cats living in the warehouse, there would be no problem with rodents and birds.
Awwwww, so cute!
Yeeeees, that’s what I said...
Great idea, but I imagine they'd escape to the outdoors when the warehouse doors were opened to accept deliveries.
bkmark/bump
Hair, please put me back on the ping list; thanks bunches!
Please add me to your list. Thanks!
bump & a ping
DANG—I live in Alabama and have a coupon for a free bag of expensive cat food in my wallet from PETCO.
Guess I’ll be buying from my vet from now on. . .
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