In a significant consumer safety alert, nearly two thousand popular products including household names like Pringles and Cheerios have been recalled across the United States following concerns over potential contamination with rodent waste. The recall, which was initially issued in December, has now been escalated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a Class II designation, indicating a serious health risk to consumers.
FDA Escalates Recall Over Unsanitary Facility Conditions
The recall stems from an FDA investigation into Minnesota-based Gold Star Distribution, Inc., which determined that the company's facility was operating under unsanitary conditions. According to the agency's report, inspectors found "the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held." This discovery prompted the initial recall action last month.
On January 22, 2026, the FDA elevated the recall to Class II status, which according to agency guidelines means that consuming or using the affected items "can pose a serious health risk." This escalation reflects growing concerns about the potential health implications of the contamination.
Extensive Range of Affected Products
The recall encompasses an astonishingly broad range of consumer goods spanning multiple categories. Among the affected items are numerous beloved snack foods including Jif Crunchy Peanut Butter, Nutella, Skittles, Snickers, Twix, Haribo Gummy Bears, Pringles, and Takis. Breakfast staples have also been impacted, with Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal, Cheerios, Quaker Corn Meal, Special K Cereal, and Lucky Charms Cereal all included in the recall.
Beyond food items, the contamination concerns extend to beverages and medical products. Popular drinks like Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Smart Water, and Arizona Iced Teas were affected, while medical items recalled include Halls Defense Vitamin C drops, Mentos Gum with Vitamins (Citrus flavor), Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, and Benadryl.
Geographic Distribution and Health Risks
The thousands of recalled products were distributed to retailers across three states: Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. According to the FDA's December report, products "contaminated with filth, rodent excreta, and rodent urine may cause illness in the animals that consume the food or humans that are in contact with the products."
Rodents can carry Leptospira bacteria, which causes leptospirosis in both humans and animals. The contamination can also lead to salmonella poisoning, which according to the FDA website can cause "serious and sometimes fatal illness." Salmonella infections typically occur between 12 and 72 hours after consuming contaminated food, with symptoms usually lasting four to seven days.
Broader Context of Food Safety Concerns
This major recall comes amid multiple food safety alerts in recent weeks. Last week, Navitas Organics recalled select lots of its eight-ounce Organic Chia Seeds due to potential salmonella contamination. According to the FDA report, that recall was conducted "as a precautionary measure following a recall initiated by the company's chia seed supplier." Those products were distributed through retailers including Whole Foods and Amazon.
The scale of the current recall—affecting nearly 2,000 products across multiple categories—highlights significant concerns about supply chain safety and facility sanitation standards. Consumers in the affected states are advised to check product lists and retailer information to identify potentially contaminated items.
