FDA recall hits nearly 2,000 items over rodent and bird waste contamination

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Almost 2,000 products were recalled in three states after inspectors found a warehouse was dirty and contaminated with rodent and bird droppings.

In December 2025, Gold Star Distribution, Inc. issued a recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that a facility in Minneapolis could potentially contaminate various products.

Products like food, drinks, pet supplies, makeup, and common medicines shipped to stores in Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota are potentially affected.

FDA assigns a Class II risk level

The FDA announced the recall on December 26th after inspectors discovered unsanitary conditions at the facility, including rodent and bird droppings and urine. The agency believes the products may have come into contact with surfaces or airborne particles contaminated with animal waste.

Health officials caution that contact with this contamination could lead to illnesses like salmonella or leptospirosis, a bacterial disease often contracted through contact with animal urine.

On January 22nd, the FDA categorized these products as Class II, indicating they may cause temporary or reversible health issues, or have a very low chance of causing serious problems, according to the agency.

The recall affects a wide range of products – from things you use around the house and beauty products, to medicines, pet food, and groceries – and the full list is 44 pages long.

The recall affects popular foods like Jolly Ranchers, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids candies, as well as Pringles and Takis snacks. Certain breakfast cereals, including Cheerios and Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, are also being recalled.

Popular drinks like Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Smart Water, and Arizona Iced Tea experienced disruptions, as did common household items such as Heinz Ketchup, Crisco Oil, and cinnamon.

Several products have been recalled, including Pepto Bismol, Axe body spray, Q-Tips, Fancy Feast cat food, and Gillette razors.

The company is asking customers who bought the recalled products to destroy them immediately.

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2026-01-29 22:50