A major public health alert has been issued in the United States after thousands of snacks, supplements, and medical items were recalled due to potential contamination with rodent and bird faeces.
Widespread Recall Across Multiple States
The recall was initiated by Gold Star Distribution, Inc., a Minnesota-based company, following an inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency found the firm was operating under "insanitary conditions", including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where products were stored.
According to a company announcement shared by the FDA on Friday, nearly 2,000 products are affected. These were sold at various retailers across three states: Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The recall encompasses a vast range of items, including over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, dietary supplements, human food, pet food, and medical devices.
Popular Brands and Health Risks
Among the more recognisable consumer goods named in the recall are Jif Crunchy Peanut Butter, Skittles, Snickers, Twix, Haribo Gummy Bears, Pringles, Quaker Corn Meal, and Gatorade. Medical and wellness items include HALLS Defense Vitamin C drops, Mentos Gum with Vitamins, Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, and Benadryl.
The FDA warned that products "contaminated with filth" pose serious health risks. Salmonella poisoning is a primary concern, which can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure and include diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually lasting four to seven days.
Elderly individuals, children under five, and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of severe illness. The company's announcement also highlighted the danger of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease for which rodents are a main reservoir.
FDA Investigation and Ongoing Concerns
The recall was triggered directly by the FDA's findings at the Gold Star Distribution facility. The agency's report stated that the unsanitary conditions created "the potential for bacterial contamination, which may result in illness or infection".
This incident underscores broader food safety challenges. Salmonella remains the second leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This recall follows another significant Salmonella-related event in December, where Vega Farms recalled over 1,500 dozen egg cartons after multiple samples tested positive, leading to 13 hospitalisations in California.
Consumers in the affected states are urged to check the full list of recalled products and the list of stores provided by the authorities. They should immediately dispose of or return any affected items.
