A Twin Cities distributor selling food and merchandise to Minnesota grocery stores had to recall a large variety of products because of bird and rodent contamination.
On Dec. 26, Minneapolis-based Gold Star Distribution voluntarily recalled a 44-page-long list of products — including cereals, sauces, medicine, candy and more — sold in dozens of stores in the state and the Midwest. The company is urging customers and retailers to destroy products that came from the facility.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined the distributor was operating under insanitary conditions since there were rodent and bird droppings in the facility at 1000 N. Humboldt Av., the company said in a news release.
“Exposure to contaminated products can pose serious health risks to consumers, including the potential for bacterial contamination, which may result in illness or infection, including Salmonella,” the release read.
Exposure to products coming into contact with rodents presents a variety of risks. Salmonella can sometimes cause fatal infections in children and older people. In healthy people, it can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and additional issues.
Consumers have not yet reported illnesses connected to the recalled products, per the release.
The distributor largely sold the products to halal markets. The extensive list of affected grocers is online.
Gold Star’s owner, Sam Samrah, said the problems started when the facility received several loads of infested rice. Additionally, birds had infiltrated the warehouse, causing more issues. The owner said the business is planning to move to a different location.
