FDA: U.S. Marshals seize food products at Illinois warehouse

U.S. Marshals, acting at the request of the FDA, seized various food products stored in a warehouse owned by Chetak Chicago LLC, in Streamwood, Ill., on October 17, 2011. The products were seized under a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The FDA initiated the seizure after finding extensive evidence of unsanitary conditions throughout the warehouse during a recent inspection. Investigators collected more than 300 samples of materials showing significant unsanitary conditions, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These conditions included live rodent and birds, rodent carcasses, gnawed product packaging, significant amounts of rodent fecal matter, rodent urine stains, and rodent nesting material.

The seized goods, which had been under an Illinois Department of Public Health embargo since August 17, 2011, include peanuts, flour, rice, and other food products stored in packaging susceptible to rodent infestation. “The FDA upholds the standards of food safety and wholesomeness that our laws dictate,” said Dara A. Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “We are committed to protecting consumers and taking action when those standards are violated.” The FDA is responsible for overseeing more than $2 trillion worth of foods, drugs, biologics, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, tobacco products and consumer goods annually.

Source: FDA