Family Dollar issued a voluntary recall on its various products shipped to 404 store locations in the South after the US Food and Drug Administration found rodent infestation at Family Dollar Distribution Center 202 in West Memphis, Arkansas, from January 1, 2021, to the present.
According to CNBC, the 404 affected locations are located across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Voluntary Recall of Products
In a notice from Family Dollar dated February 18, 2022, the company is initiating a voluntary retail level product recall of specific products such as drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and human and pet food products.
The Food and Drug Agency (FDA) also advised consumers against using the following products covered by the recall:
- Human foods which include dietary supplements like vitamins, herbal and mineral supplements
- Cosmetics including skincare products, baby oils, lipsticks, shampoos, baby wipes
- Animal foods such as kibble, pet treats, wild bird seed
- Medical devices including surgical masks, contact lens cleaning solutions, bandages, nasal care products
- Feminine hygiene products
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pain medications, eye drops, dental products, antacids
- Medications for children and adults
In an email statement to Epoch Times, the Family Dollar spokesperson said it took the situation "very seriously." The report also noted that the company is committed to providing safe and quality products to its customers. They are fully cooperating with agencies to resolve and remediate the issue.
The affected stores have temporarily closed to carry out the recall and are "working hard" for its reopening at the soonest time possible, the statement to Epoch Times also said.
Rodent infestation
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice also said that a consumer complaint prompted the health officials to investigate the Arkansas Facility last month, leading to the voluntary recall of products from Family Dollar Stores.
The inspection observed live rodents, dead rodents of various states of decay, rodent feces and urine, evidence of gnawing, nesting, and rodent odors throughout the facility. The FDA said it also observed dead birds and bird droppings, and products stored in conditions that did not protect against contamination.
After the fumigation in January, FDA reported around 1100 dead rodents recovered. Inspectors also found records of prior rodent infestation at the facility. The company's internal documents also recorded a collection of 2300 rodents between March 29 and September 17, 2021.
Meanwhile, in its statement, the FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, Judith McMeekin, said the Family Dollar Distribution facility conditions were "unacceptable" to which no one should be subjected. She added that the distribution facility's needs "appear to be violations of federal law" poses risks to families' health.
The FDA advises consumers who recently purchased the recalled products to contact a health care professional immediately should they experience health concerns when handling the affected products. The agency warns that rodent contamination causes Salmonella and infectious diseases, posing risks to immunocompromised people, infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
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