Main points
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Gold Star Distribution, Inc. is recalling hundreds of products, including pet food, pharmaceuticals, candy, supplements, cosmetics and groceries, after the FDA discovered rodent, bird and insect contamination at a Minneapolis storage facility.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that unsanitary conditions, including rodent urine, feces and bird droppings, pose a high risk of contamination with harmful microorganisms such as salmonella, although no illnesses have been reported so far.
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Consumers and retailers should destroy affected products rather than return them, as Gold Star will issue refunds based on proof of destruction. Pet owners whose animals may have consumed the recalled pet food are advised to contact their veterinarian due to risks such as leptospirosis.
Check your pantry. Minneapolis-based Gold Star Distribution, Inc. is recalling hundreds of products due to rodent and bird contamination in storage facilities, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Products affected by the recall include a variety of pet foods, over-the-counter drugs, candy, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, canned foods, cereals and other grocery products under brands including Benadryl, Pringles and Hershey’s. A complete list of these items, which have been distributed to more than 50 stores, can be found in the FDA notification.
“People who handle or eat these products may become seriously ill from adulteration by pests, including rodents, birds and insects,” according to the release. The agency determined that the facility was operating under unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excrement, rodent urine and bird droppings in areas where the recalled products were stored. This exposure creates a high risk that products within the factory may be contaminated by harmful microorganisms.
So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. However, the FDA explained in the notice that exposure to contaminated products could pose serious health risks to consumers, including the possibility of contamination with bacteria such as salmonella.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often develop fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. According to the FDA, in rare cases, infections can lead to more serious illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
Leptospirosis can also be found in contaminated water or soil and is spread by rodents. It affects animals and people. If left untreated, it can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, difficulty breathing, and even death in humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Signs and symptoms of infected animals vary widely, and some animals show no symptoms at all. If your pet has eaten a recalled animal food, contact your veterinarian.
Applying affected cosmetic products to the skin or eyes may cause skin irritation, infection, or other adverse reactions. If you experience any problems that may be related to the use of the recalled product, please contact your healthcare provider.
Consumers and retailers who purchased affected products should destroy the products as soon as possible and provide proof of destruction to Gold Star, 1000 N. Humboldt Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn., 55411. Product should not be shipped back to the company. Gold Star will provide refunds upon request. If you have questions, please contact your dealer at 612-617-9800 (8am to 5pm CST daily).
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