A Ridgewood, NY warehouse used to both manufacture and distribute kosher food products was the target of a raid by U.S. Marshals on April 12. The Marshals raided the facility after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found widespread rodent infestation in the warehouse. The FDA initiated the seizure of various food products at the warehouse, owed by V.I.P. Foods Inc. under a warrant issued by the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In a late February inspection, FDA agents found unsanitary conditions at the facility, which was deemed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The conditions included live rodents, a dead, desiccated rodent, and what appeared to be rodent tracks, rodent gnaw holes, and rodent excreta pellets in or near food products. “V.I.P. Foods housed various dried mixes and bases, such as chicken soup base, blueberry muffin mix and bread crumbs; and the conditions inside this warehouse were just deplorable,” said Melinda K. Plaisier, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “We will continue to take aggressive action to protect public health.” Some of V.I.P. Foods’ products are distributed under the name VIP Foods Inc., VIP, V.I.P., or KoJel. V.I.P. Foods also distributes other products under private label. To date, no illnesses have been associated with V.I.P. Foods products. Illnesses or adverse events related to use of these products should be reported to the FDA at caers@fda.hhs.gov or by calling 240-402-2405.