WASHINGTON – The US Marshals Service seized adulterated food and medical products from seven warehouses and sheds owned by an Alma, Arkansas-based grocer on behalf of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Federal marshals conducted the raid on Nov. 7 and 8 at J&L Grocery LLC. Products seized included human and animal food products, cosmetic products, medical devices and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, a significant number of which were beyond the stated expiration dates, FDA reported. In a complaint filed with the US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, the agency alleged the seized products are adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The company’s Facebook page describes the business as a discount grocery store.

Court documents state that an FDA inspection of J&L Grocery conducted in September and October uncovered “…multiple live and dead rodents, rodent nesting, live racoons, live cats, a dead possum, animal feces, and urine-stained products in and around the company’s seven warehouses and sheds used to store food, medical products and cosmetics.”

Following the inspection FDA issued two Administrative Detention Orders at J&L Grocery, dated Oct. 9 and 19, 2018. FDA can hold — for up to 30 days in some circumstances — food and drug products if the agency has reason to believe the products are adulterated or misbranded.

“The widespread insanitary conditions found at J&L Grocery is alarming and won’t be tolerated,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “At this time, we’re unaware of adverse events associated with the use of products purchased at J&L Grocery. The work of our field force and the goals of our vigorous oversight efforts are to find these kinds of potential hazards and intervene before consumers are harmed.”

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