On February 18, 2022, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning concerning items that have been possibly contaminated by live and dead rodents at a Family Dollar warehouse in Arkansas. The potentially contaminated products involve six states where the Family Dollar Stores are located: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
The announcement concerns purchases made from January 1, 2021, through the present, of various categories of FDA-regulated products which may be unsafe for consumers to use.
The associated products were originally from Family Dollar’s distribution warehouse facility located in West Memphis, Arkansas. An FDA inspection discovered unsanitary conditions that included infestation of rodents which may have caused contamination to many products.
The Food & Drug Administration is working with Family Dollar to begin a voluntary recall of the products which may have been affected.
“Families rely on stores like Family Dollar for products such as food and medicine. They deserve products that are safe,” said Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judith McMeekin, Pharm.D. “No one should be subjected to products stored in the kind of unacceptable conditions that we found in this Family Dollar distribution facility. These conditions appear to be violations of federal law that could put families’ health at risk. We will continue to work to protect consumers.” (Source.)
Some examples of the products include dietary supplements (vitamin, herbal, and mineral supplements); cosmetics (skincare products, baby oils, lipsticks, shampoos, baby wipes); animal foods products (kibble, pet treats, wild bird seed); medical devices (feminine hygiene products, surgical masks, contact lens cleaning solutions, bandages, nasal care products); and over-the-counter medications (pain medications, eye drops, dental products, antacids, other medications for both adults and children).
Consumers are being advised not to use the products and to reach out to the company concerning these affected products.
The FDA is advising that all drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and dietary supplements, regardless of packaging, be discarded. Food contained in non-permeable packaging like glass that hasn’t been damaged or in metal cans may be suitable for use if thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Consumers should wash their hands immediately after handling any products from the affected Family Dollar stores.
It's advised that any consumer who recently purchased an affected product should reach out to a “health care professional immediately if they have health concerns after using or handling impacted products.”
Rodent contamination could “cause Salmonella and infectious diseases, which may pose the greatest risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised people.”
After a consumer complaint, an investigation began at the West Memphis, Arkansas facility in January 2022. Family Dollar then ceased distributing products during the days of the FDA inspection team’s arrival to the site. The inspection concluded on February 11, 2022.
The observation of the inspection included live rodents, dead rodents, and various evidence of these rodents, dead birds and evidence of birds, and products being stored in these conditions that weren’t protected against possible contamination.
“More than 1,100 dead rodents were recovered from the facility following fumigation at the facility in January 2022. Additionally, a review of the company's internal records also indicated the collection of more than 2,300 rodents between Mar. 29 and Sep. 17, 2021, demonstrating a history of infestation.” (Source.)
The recall announcement indicated on the Family Dollar website links to an article entitled Family Dollar Stores Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain FDA-Regulated Products in Six States Including Drugs, Devices, Cosmetics, Foods on the Business Wire website.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products may be reported to the FDA as follows:
- "Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
- Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
- https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda
- This voluntary retail level recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." (Source.)
Comments / 9