FDA Flags “Insanitary Conditions” in Recall │ Nearly 2,000 Everyday Products Pulled in Multi‑State Rodent Waste Distribution

Nearly 2,000 consumer products—including food, drinks, medications, cosmetics, and pet items—have been swept into a sweeping rodent waste recall affecting three states, after federal inspectors found the items stored in a warehouse contaminated with rodent droppings, bird waste, and other unsanitary conditions. The FDA assigned the event a Class II risk level, noting that while severe outcomes are unlikely, temporary or reversible health effects are possible. No illnesses have been reported so far.

The recall was initiated by Gold Star Distribution, Inc. warehouse in Minnesota after inspectors documented widespread contamination inside the storage facility. The scope is unusually large—nearly 2,000 individual products across dozens of major brands—making this one of the most expansive contamination-driven recalls in recent memory.

Which Products Are Included in the Rodent Waste Recall?

The rodent waste recall spans a huge cross‑section of everyday items. The FDA’s full list runs long, but major categories include:

• Beverages Diet Coke, Sprite, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Arizona Iced Tea, Gatorade, Red Bull, Snapple, Canada Dry
• Candy Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Snickers, M&M’s, Skittles, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, Haribo, Swedish Fish, Jolly Rancher, Mike and Ike
• Salty Snacks Pringles, Takis, Chex Mix
• Pantry Staples Cheerios, Quaker, Chef Boyardee, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Ragu, Heinz, Hunt’s
• Medications Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin, Pepto-Bismol, Benadryl, NyQuil, DayQuil, Tums
• Personal Care Colgate, Crest, Vaseline, Always, Tampax, Trojan, Dove, Axe
• Pet Food Purina, Friskies, Meow Mix, Fancy Feast

The affected products were distributed to retailers in Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The FDA’s announcement includes the full retailer list and all product codes.

Why This Recall Matters

Rodent and bird waste contamination isn’t just unpleasant—it carries real microbial risk. The FDA notes that exposure to contaminated products can lead to infections such as Salmonella, especially in vulnerable populations. While the agency does not expect widespread severe illness, the contamination level was high enough to trigger a broad, immediate recall.

This is the kind of recall where the “yuck” factor is not just editorial—it’s factual. Inspectors documented enough waste inside the facility to compromise nearly 2,000 items across multiple categories, from snacks to medications to pet food.

What’s the Actual Health Risk?

The FDA’s warning goes beyond general contamination concerns. Inspectors documented rodent droppings, rodent urine, bird waste, and airborne debris inside the warehouse, creating multiple potential pathways for bacterial exposure. The primary risks include:

Salmonella

A leading concern in this recall. Rodent droppings can carry Salmonella bacteria, which may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risk of complications.

Leptospirosis

Rodent urine can transmit Leptospira bacteria, which may lead to fever, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, and—in severe cases—kidney or liver issues. While less common than Salmonella, it’s a documented risk in environments with heavy rodent activity.

General Microbial Contamination

Bird droppings and rodent waste can introduce a mix of bacteria and pathogens capable of contaminating food, beverages, medications, cosmetics, and pet products. The FDA classified the situation as “insanitary conditions,” meaning the products were exposed to contamination even if no specific pathogen was isolated from each item.

What Consumers Should Do

The FDA’s guidance is direct:

• Destroy any recalled products immediately.
• Do not consume or use them.
• Contact Gold Star Distribution for refunds at 612‑617‑9800.
• Seek medical care if you experience symptoms after using or consuming an affected product.
• Contact your veterinarian if a pet may have eaten recalled food.
• Report adverse reactions through the FDA’s reporting portal.

Bottom Line

This rodent waste recall is large, messy, and unusually wide in scope. With nearly 2,000 products affected across three states, consumers should check their pantries, medicine cabinets, and pet supplies carefully. The contamination is serious enough to warrant immediate disposal, even though no illnesses have been reported.