The Food & Drug Administration issued a statement that should be very concerning to shoppers of Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. The reason: Potential Salmonella contamination and presence of rodent activity at the distribution center in West Memphis, Arkansas.
The FDA, acting on a consumer complaint in January, said it began an investigation into the West Memphis, Arkansas, distribution facility. There, inspectors found live rodents, dead rodents, "rodent feces and urine, evidence of gnawing, nesting and rodent odors throughout the facility, dead birds and bird droppings, and products stored in conditions that did not protect against contamination," the FDA reported. After fumigating the facility, more than 1,100 dead rodents were discovered.
Rodent contamination may cause Salmonella and infectious diseases, which may pose the greatest risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised people.
There are numerous hazards associated with rodents including the potential presence of Salmonella. Use or consumption of affected products may present risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons, persons with pre- existent pathology (e.g., patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipient, etc.) and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recall includes, but is not limited to:
- FDA-approved dietary supplements
- Cosmetics
- skincare products
- baby oils
- lipsticks
- shampoos
- baby wipes
- Animal foods, including Kibble
- pet treats
- wild bird seed
- Medical devices
- feminine hygiene products
- surgical masks
- contact lens cleaning solutions
- bandages
- nasal care products
- Over-the-counter medications
- pain medications
- eye drops
- dental products
- antacids
- and other medications for both adults and children.
The FDA further stated that customers with questions regarding this recall may contact Family Dollar Customer Service at 844-636-7687 between 9am and 5pm EST.
Customers should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using these products.
Customers with concerns about their pets who have eaten the recalled animal food products should contact their veterinarian.
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