Droppings and urine from rodents and birds discovered at a Minnesota distribution facility have resulted in a recall of various products, according to a notice published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Gold Star Distribution, Inc., issued the press release published by the FDA. This release said the FDA determined “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,” and deemed the conditions unsanitary. It also said that there is a significant risk” that products held at the facility were contaminated with “filth and microorganisms.”
Products listed as part of the recall include: drugs; medical devices; cosmetics; dietary supplements; and human and animal (pet) food products. A list of impacted products is available here and a list of establishments where the products were distributed is available here.
There were no illnesses reported related to this recall as of Dec. 26. Still, the notice warns that “persons handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill,” and it noted that rodents in particular are the “main reservoirs of Leptospira,” bacteria that causes leptospirosis in humans and animals.
Symptoms of this illness can often be mistaken for signs of other conditions, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They include: fever, headache, chills, body or muscle aches, vomiting or nausea, yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice), red eyes, stomach pain, diarrhea and rash. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and death.
Salmonella is another potential pathogen linked to insanitary conditions, the FDA said. Like Leptospira, the bacteria can cause serious and even fatal illness, especially in children, the elderly and people who are immunocompromised.
“Contaminated medical devices may increase the risk of device-associated infections, drugs and foods may cause adverse health effects if ingested, and cosmetics applied to the skin or eyes may lead to skin irritation, infection, or other adverse reactions,” said the recall notice.
Consumers and retailers who purchased products listed as part of the recall are instructed to destroy them as soon as possible. They are also asked to “verify such destruction by receipt provided to Gold Star at 1000 N. Humboldt Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411,” and not to ship back products to Gold Star under any circumstances. Gold Star will provide refunds upon request.
“If you have any questions, contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800, 7 days a week, 8 am to 5 pm, Central Standard Time,” the recall notice said.
Adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. Online forms can he found here.