FDA seizes $1.5M in adulterated food

WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. marshals, acting on a Food and Drug Administration request, have seized more than $1.5 million worth of adulterated food products.

The FDA said the food, including herbs and botanicals, had been stored under filthy conditions at the American Mercantile Corp. of Memphis.

"During an inspection of American Mercantile in March, FDA investigators discovered evidence of extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout the company's warehouse," the federal agency said.

The FDA said marshals Thursday seized all FDA-regulated food products that were in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they were held in unsanitary conditions under which they may have become contaminated with filth.

The FDA said the company stores and processes food ingredients that are sold to and used by dietary supplement and herbal tea industries. The products include sarsaparilla, spearmint leaves, cornstarch, sweet orange peel powder, licorice powder, sassafras and salt.