Feds Shut Down Rodent-Infested GA Warehouse

WASHINGTONU.S. Marshals, acting under a court order sought by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA, on Oct. 27 seized an estimated $700,000 worth of rice and other packaged food products from a rodent-infested warehouse operated by Sun Hong Kai Holding Inc., dba United Food Service, in East Point, Ga.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued a warrant for the seizure of all FDA-regulated food stored in the warehouse in permeable containers. The federal governments complaint alleges that the products are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they have been held under insanitary conditions and may have become contaminated with filth.

According to the complaint, an FDA inspection of the facility between Sept. 22, 2010, and Oct. 1, 2010, revealed an active and widespread rodent infestation, including live and dead rodents within the warehouse where food products are stored." FDA investigators found 28 live rodents, one dead rodent, apparent rodent droppings, 26 apparent rodent gnaw holes in multiple packages of food products, rodent urine stains on food packaging and four rodent nesting sites. FDA laboratory analyses of samples collected during the inspection confirmed the investigators observations. FDA investigators also found structural defects making the facility accessible to rodents.

On Sept. 30, 2010, the Georgia Department of Agriculture placed all food in the warehouse under an order that prevents sale of the products. A day later, FDA investigators provided the warehouse manager a list documenting the violations.