FDA Warns Office Supply Company About Sanitary Conditions Near Stored Foods

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to
Staples, Inc. concerning inspections conducted at its California facility where
food products are stored. FDA apparently discovered “serious violations
of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulation for foods.”
Among other matters, rodent excreta pellets were found on or near “at least
11 different food products, including various brands of candies, crackers,
creamers, pistachios, ramen noodles, and bottled water.” The inspectors also
apparently found dead rodents in traps throughout the facility and rodent
gnawed holes on individual food packages.

FDA acknowledged that the company voluntarily destroyed food products
under the agency’s supervision in October 2011 and that the company
repaired six roll-up doors at the facility. Still, because the company did not
document its corrections with photographs or include a site map indicating
the placement of rodent traps or pest control records with its response, it had
not “addressed how your actions will prevent future violations or adequately
address the source of rodent infestation in your facility.” Staples was given 15
days to specify the steps it has taken to correct the noted violations.