Rat droppings
Feds seized undisclosed pet food products at an Illinois PETCO warehouse at the request of the FDA because they were stored in unsanitary conditions. In April, the FDA found “widespread and active rodent and bird infestation”. Apparently PETCO didn’t take these findings too seriously since a second inspection in May found “continuing and widespread infestation”—including “live and dead rodents and birds on or around the food containers, some of which had been gnawed and defiled by excrement”.
This one warehouse supplies 16 states:
- Alabama
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Although no illnesses have been reported yet, the FDA warns that people who have handled PETCO products in these states should thoroughly wash their hands in hot, soapy water. Surfaces and food bowl that came in contact with PETCO products should also be washed. Products packaged in can and glass containers should also be thoroughly washed.
If your pet has become sick from eating PETCO food, you need to file a complaint with your local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator. I would assume that this also applies if people have become sick as a result of handling these products.
At this time, PETCO has nothing on its website about the raid.
