Thousands of grocery items — including snacks, candies, beverages, pantry staples, over-the-counter drugs, hygiene items, and pet food — sold at stores in Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota have been recalled after an inspection revealed unsanitary conditions at the warehouse from which they were distributed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

The FDA said a Minneapolis facility operated by Gold Star Distribution had “rodent excreta [feces], rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.”

No illnesses related to this recall have been reported to date. 

This kind of exposure means there is significant risk that items shipped from the facility could be contaminated with “filth and harmful microorganisms,” the FDA said. Exposure to contaminated products could lead to serious illness, the agency added, including salmonella poisoning and leptospirosis, an infection commonly transmitted by rat urine.

What Items Were Recalled?

The recall included approximately 2,000 household items, including:

• Candy: Haribo, Skittles, Hershey’s, Reese’s, M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Rancher, Kit Kat

• Cereals: Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, and Frosted Flakes

• Pantry staples: Gold Medal flour, rice, Maruchan ramen, spices, oils including Crisco, Goya dried and canned beans

• Chips, crackers, and cookies: Pringles, Takis, Saltines, Oreos

• Beverages: Arizona, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Monster Energy, Prime

• Pain relievers: Tylenol, Advil, Exedrin, Pepto Bismol, Nyquil, Dayquil

• Soap: Dial, Dove, Irish Spring

• Personal care: Axe body spray, Q-Tips, shampoo and conditioner, Vaseline, Gillette razors, Always panty liners, Trojan condoms, Oral B toothbrushes, Colgate and Crest toothpaste

• Pet food: Purina Dog Chow, Puppy Chow, and Cat Chow; Fancy Feast

A full list of the recalled items can be found on the FDA’s website. The recalled items should be destroyed as soon as possible, the announcement said. Do not return them.

Gold Star said it would issue refunds upon request. The company can be reached at 612-617-9800.

What Stores Sold the Recalled Items?

Gold Star said the recalled items were distributed to “some or all” of the following stores.

Indiana

• Aimmart International Market, Indianapolis

Minnesota

• Kismayo Halal, Apple Valley

• Desi Brothers, Bloomington

• TBS International Mkt, Bloomington

• Cliff Halal Market, Burnsville

• Halal Foods LLC, Burnsville

• Osari Trading LLC, Brooklyn Center

• Viengchan Oriental Mkt, Brooklyn Center

• EZ Stop Food Market, Brooklyn Park

• Palms Market, Coon Rapids

• Pangea World Market, Coon Rapids

• Jerusalem Market, Columbia Heights

• Ep Mart Inc., Eden Prairie

• Peace Market, Hilltop

• Cliff Halal Market, Burnsville

• African Halal Deli Inc., Minneapolis

• Afrik Store, Minneapolis

• Ainu Shams Halal Food LLC, Minneapolis

• Brothers Imports, Minneapolis

• Caspian Bistro Restaurant, Minneapolis

• Central Market, Minneapolis

• Clinton Halal Market, Minneapolis

• Durdur Market, Minneapolis

• Elliot Market Inc., Minneapolis

• Halal Mini Market, Minneapolis

• Jimmy's Food, Minneapolis

• Kalis Adult Daycare Center, Minneapolis

• Lake Street Market, Minneapolis

• Midwest Market, Minneapolis

• Minneapolis Halal Market LLC, Minneapolis

• Minnesota Halal Market, Minneapolis

• Oasis Market And Deli, Minneapolis

• Shabelle Grocery, Minneapolis

• Star Foods, Minneapolis

• Sudamic Import & Export Inc., Minneapolis

• Super Plaza Halal Foods, Minneapolis

• West Bank Mkt, Minneapolis

• La Picante Market, New Hope

• Baraka Grocery Inc., Rochester

• Kimis Grocery Store Inc., Rochester

• Kismayo Discount Store, Saint Cloud

• Panjha Brothers LLC, Saint Cloud

• Qalinle Family Grocery, Saint Cloud

• Ashama Grocery, St. Paul

• Ethio Market, St. Paul

• Friendly Grocery & Deli, St. Paul

• Ghaley Groceries Mart, St. Paul

• Goinkh Trading LLC, St. Paul

• Mcknight Shell Gas, St. Paul

• Milton Halal Market, St. Paul

• St Paul Grocery, St. Paul

• Star Ocean, St. Paul

• Sunray Halal Market, St. Paul

• Mz Market, Shakopee

North Dakota

• Fargo Halal Market, Fargo

How Exposure Could Make You Sick

The FDA said there are multiple hazards tied to these exposures, but highlighted salmonella poisoning and leptospirosis, which can pose serious risks to the very young, the very old, and people with weakened immune systems. This kind of contamination can also make pets sick.

Symptoms of both salmonella infection and leptospirosis include:

• Fever

• Headache

• Diarrhea

• Stomach cramps

• Nausea and vomiting

Leptospirosis can also cause:

• Chills

• Body or muscle aches

• Yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice)

• Red eyes

If you think you may be getting sick from exposure to any of the recalled products, you should contact your doctor or another healthcare professional. If your pet ate recalled food, you should contact your veterinarian.