U.S. raids Petco warehouse

CHICAGO —  Federal marshals with a search warrant visited the Joliet, Ill., distribution center of Petco Animal Supplies Inc. on Thursday, seizing animal food products that were allegedly contaminated.

The seizure came one day after the government filed a lawsuit and obtained the warrant to seize products at the warehouse operated by the San Diego-based animal food and supply company.

There are no known public health risks posed by the pet food and no incidents of human or animal illness have been traced to the products, U.S. Atty. Patrick J. Fitzgerald and other officials said in a statement issued by his office.

Since the government’s last inspection, Petco has “acted aggressively to address each and every concern that was raised,” said Kevin Whalen, Petco’s vice president of corporate communications.

The lawsuit alleges that food stored at the warehouse, unless kept in glass or metal containers, is subject to condemnation because it was stored under conditions that allegedly were unsanitary.