PETCO pet food seized after federal warrant issued

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

U.S. Marshals seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions at the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center located in Joliet, Ill., following orders under a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court in Chicago, officials said Thursday.

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination. The products violated 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.

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, officials said.

The Illinois distribution center 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.

California’s PETCO stores were not issued products from the Joliet distribution center, according to the FDA.

If a pet has become ill after eating these food products, FDA officials said pet owners should contact their veterinarian and report illnesses to FDA state consumer complaint coordinators.

--Francisco Vara-Orta