The U.S. District Court in Chicago issued orders to seize all pet food from the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center allegedly stored under unsanitary conditions.
The FDA said it does not have any evidence that the food is unsafe, but the agency fears the conditions at the center could affect the integrity and quality of the food. The products violated the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act because they were being held under unsanitary conditions.
The FDA warned the PETCO distribution center in April about widespread and active rodent and bird infestation. When the facility was again inspected in May, government officials did not find any change in the conditions.
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.
PETCO stores in California were free from the products stored in Joliet, the FDA said.
As a precaution, consumers who have handled products originating from the PETCO distribution center are encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.
A federal prosecutor says no incidents of human or animal illness have been traced to the products and there are no known public health risks. However, if the food has any adverse effect on animals, FDA officials said pet owners should contact their veterinarian.
AHN correspondent Catherine Mariano-Gaces contributed to this report.
