FDA requests seizure of animal food products at PETCO distribution center

[kelpiegirl]

FDA News

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2008

 

 

Media Inquiries:

Kimberly Rawlings, 301-827-6242

Consumer Inquiries:

888-INFO-FDA

 

FDA Requests Seizure of Animal Food Products at PETCO Distribution Center

 

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.

[Tranquilis]

Translation:

 

"These bums were letting the rats get to the food, and it was so nasty that we literally wouldn't feed that to a dog."

 

Unfortunately, a number of people I know are kinda stuck - They get the specific food they need (a specific low-allergen giant-breed puppy food) from PetCo, and don't have any alternative in their area.

[Lenajo]

Since FDA has been soooo upfront, honest, and ethical regarding pet food in the past year, not to mention the shenanigans with ProHeart...

 

well, lets just say I'm still wondering what the real story is with PetCo.

[Tranquilis]

Do recall that the FDA is made up of people - some good, most indifferent, some bad - just like the rest of the people in the world.

 

Also do recall that the medical surveillance/review/approval section of the FDA is different and seperate from the division that inspects food supplies. The CVM is not the CDER is not the CBER is not the CFSAN. Same agency - Very different departments.

 

Let's not swing the tar brush too broadly.

[Lenajo]

same boss, and if the tar sticks that's their problem, not mine because I held up the brush.

[Tranquilis]

Actually, the tar sticks because people whom don't know better see it being slung about, and don't know better than to question. Also, beacuse angry people fling so much of it, so indiscriminatly.

 

In short, I don't think you really undersand the inner workings of the FDA, and would do better to harness your energy to learning what is actually going on, than wasting it slinging the tar brush about. That fact that you conflated CVM with CFSAN clearly underscores this.

[Lenajo]

I've worked with FDA rulings and results for 15 years professionally, and 30 years farming. I have a fairly decent grasp on bullsh*t and governmental idiocy. But if it makes you feel better to trust first, and flail at those who don't...hey, go for it. I'll wait on the real story. It may or may not come out, but when it does...I'm the one who didn't touch the ProHeart to begin with either, or perscribe some popular new meds that are no longer on the market.

 

I'm going to give PetCo a benefit of a doubt for now. Basically because I've seen "big brother" at the FDA screw up too many time in ways ranging from innocent to letting people and animals get killed. And lets face it...in order to have rodent and bird contamination of pet food, you have to have open bags for sale. Is anybody here buying open bags of pet food? Do you see anyone at PetCo, or any other store for that matter, who has the time (or even will, remeber these are minimum wage employes) wiping bird poop off the bags or treats? Come on.

 

If you think rodents and rats shouldn't be around food don't ever visit the storages areas at grocery stores. There is a reason why its a good idea to wash the top of your soda can. I do hope you do that...don't you? Been to a grain bin lately? That's where your "clean" animal corn comes from. Don't go if you don't like mice. My mom worked at a jam factory. Which is why we make our own

 

lenajo...aka the conspirary theorist

[kelpiegirl]

I wonder if this is human-risk founded- that is, rat droppings, etc., if sitting on bags, and the handled by people, this could pose a risk. I think that there may be a back story that we have not heard- like repeated allegations that were proven, and now the FDA has HAD IT.

[Lenajo]

I wonder if this is human-risk founded- that is, rat droppings, etc., if sitting on bags, and the handled by people, this could pose a risk. I think that there may be a back story that we have not heard- like repeated allegations that were proven, and now the FDA has HAD IT.

 

yes, would like a history on it too.