WASHINGTON—U.S. marshals acting on behalf of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized food products from a rodent-infested facility owned by Chan's Food Service (CDSD Inc.)., Durham, N.C.
The federal complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, alleges the products are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they have been held under insanitary conditions, whereby they may have become contaminated with filth.
An FDA inspection of the facility from July 25, 2011 through Aug. 3, 2011, found rodent nesting sites, numerous rodent excreta pellets on and around food products, rodent gnawed containers of food, as well as one live and eight dead rodents in the vicinity of food product storage. The inspectors also observed food product spills, open boxes of food, rotten food items, trash throughout the facility, and noted many potential entryways for pests, including open doors, gaps in doors, broken windows and a hole in the outside wall.
"The FDA remains vigilant in protecting consumers from unacceptable sources of food," said Dara A. Corrigan, the FDA's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. "Today's action reinforces that commitment. We will continue to take actions against companies that do not meet federal standards for food safety, wholesomeness, sanitation and proper labeling."
