That is quite an article you found, Menusux.  The open food containers made me think of how a Petco I used to shop at had lots of bulk treats that would be sold in open containers.  Maybe that is the open food referred to, unless it was torn or chewed open bags.

At least Dr. Granberg is offering pet owners some guidance.  I wonder what virus that would be, too, though.  

And, if there is even a slight concern about contamination, why are they not making a big sweep of possibly infected products to get them off the shelves & out of people's homes? 

If there is a chance of pets getting infected, surely there is even more of a chance of people getting infected??!!  We've been warned to wash our hands after handling dry pet food, I haven't seen a warning about washing our hands after feeding Petco bought foods.  No wonder we are having outbreaks of these diseases all over the US.

And all those poor workers that have been handling this stuff day in & day out, and working in that warehouse!

OMG the hantavirus, that hadn't even occured to me!  That's scary.  Although luckily the hantavirus is not very prevalent in the midwest.  More likely to be in the rural southwest US and hopefully not Joliet IL where the Petco distribution center is.

kittylyda - Offy listed hantavirus stats on central states in post #15 this thread.  Texas & Kansas seem to have had some cases last year, but fewer north of there.

I have to wonder if there is any connection to what is happening here to the Nutro issues people are reporting.

Let's see how the versions differ-

http://www.petconews.com/?utm_source=petcocom&utm_medium=hp&utm_campaign=joliet

Saturday, June 21, 2008
Update on Our Joliet Distribution Center

"At PETCO, our business - and our lives - revolve around pets. Around their health and well-being, and around helping you - our customers and fellow pet parents - enjoy long and happy relationships with your animal companions. After all, our mission and our passion are to support and promote the highest quality of life for pets of all sizes, shapes and colors.

"Today, I am writing as a pet parent myself, as well as PETCO's CEO, to share some information with you about developments this week at one of our distribution centers, located in Joliet, Ill.

"Earlier this spring, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency charged with overseeing facilities that store human and pet food, inspected our Joliet distribution center. In its reports, the FDA noted pests and instances where mice had reportedly opened packages of pet food.

"Since the May inspection, we have acted aggressively to address every concern raised by the FDA. Today, we are confident that the Joliet facility is very clean and that highly effective pest control measures are in place.

"However, as a result of the observations raised during the FDA's past inspections, authorities issued an action on Thursday to place a hold on the receipt or distribution of food products from our Joliet facility.

"It is important for you to know that, according to the FDA, there is no indication that any pet food that has passed through our Joliet facility is unsafe. Neither the FDA nor our company has received any reports of pet illness associated with eating food distributed by or sold at PETCO stores.

"I am actively involved in discussions and decisions as we address this matter. As an organization and as pet parents, all of us at PETCO - starting with me - are committed to complying fully with all FDA requirements, and we are working with officials to understand and address any continuing concerns.

"For 43 years, our most important priority has been and continues to be to make it easier for pet parents to love and care for their animal companions. It's what we do and it's why we're here.

"We appreciate and take seriously the trust you place in us to help care for your animal family members. You can count on us to work hard to earn that trust every day.

"Sincerely,

"Jim Myers
"PETCO CEO"

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01854.html

June 19, 2008
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."

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/petco.warehouse.infestation.2.752585.html

CBS2Chicago June 19, 2008

Feds: PETCO Warehouse Infested With Rodents, Birds

"Federal marshals acting on a warrant seized pet food and products from the Joliet PETCO warehouse Thursday afternoon. That facility supplies products to stores in 16 states, including Illinois and Indiana.

"Federal authorities said the warehouse on Rock Creek Boulevard in Joliet was overrun with birds and rodents, some of which had been gnawing at bags of pet food. During two inspections in April and May, investigators said they found animals and excrement inside, including 26 live rodents, 7 dead rodents, 30 birds, 1,300 rodent droppings and what appeared to be urine stains in and around stored containers of pet food."

OK-- the Petco version is that nothing was seized, but they are not permitted to either receive or ship products from the Joliet warehouse.  Petco has it that there were only mice and they just opened some bags of food--didn't do what comes naturally anywhere.

FDA seized the products and found plenty of rodents and birds and advises those who purchased product which came from this warehouse to take sanitation precautions.  FDA did not say all of the rodents were mice.

CBS 2 Chicago reported that the products were seized and there were 26 live rodents, 7 dead rodents, 30 birds, 1,300 rodent droppings and what appeared to be urine stains in and around stored containers of pet food, based on the information they received from FDA.  This report also doesn't say that all of the rodents were mice either.

So Petco doesn't officially admit that the pet products were physically removed from their Joliet, IL premises by US Marshals acting under a Federal court order, nor that there was more than mice and them opening bags of pet food involved.

While it's believable to me that they would not be permitted to accept deliveries nor ship from the warehouse because of this, it seems it was important for Petco not to mention that these products were legaly removed from the facility because of filth. 

Anybody waiting to hear "FDA misspoke"?  We've heard THAT one before.........

De JA Vu??? anyone??

They did (I remember the article, but the link elludes me.)  This is the supposed SOP developed in a response to disaster and to mitigate damamges.  While there was a tad more openess proposed by the article, the fact that the FDA can't force a mandatory recall seems to have hit everyone's legal profile, and this is what the pr/legal teams came up with.