Family Dollar issued a voluntary recall on Friday due to the possibility of rat infestation at the company’s distribution center in Arkansas. Items regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration and purchased as far back as January 2021 are recalled from stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
The following items are sold in impacted states at about 400 stores:
- Cosmetics (makeup, lotions, and shampoo, for example)
- Medical equipment (items such as face masks, bandages, and feminine hygiene products)
- Prescription drugs (eye drops, antacids, and other over-the-counter products)
- Dietary supplements (including vitamins)
- Food (for humans and pets)
According to Family Dollar’s notification, the recall excludes chilled or frozen items delivered directly to retailers. According to an FDA notice issued Friday, foods in glass or metal cans may also be safe to consume after being thoroughly cleaned. According to the CDC, if you have an impacted product, you should wash your hands promptly after handling it and see a doctor if you have any health concerns. In addition, medical equipment, medications, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements, regardless of packaging, should be thrown, according to the FDA.
Family Dollar says it isn’t aware of any illnesses linked to the products, but customers can return recalled items without a receipt to the shop.
According to the FDA, salmonella and infectious illnesses can be spread by rodents, putting children, the elderly, pregnant women, and others with weak immune systems in danger. For example, in January, the agency said it began investigating a Family Dollar distribution site in Arkansas after receiving a customer complaint. The study discovered live and dead rats and urine, excrement, and indications of the creatures breeding and chewing in the facility. Dead birds were also found in the center and storage that did not protect items from contamination.
Salmonella infection causes non-life-threatening symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pains, and fever in most people.
The FDA stated there may have been a history of infestation after studying the company’s internal records, which show a “collection of more than 2,300 rodents between Mar. 29 and Sep. 17, 2021.”
According to the recall, Family Dollar informs impacted retailers and urges them to inspect their stock and “quarantine and cease” the goods. Customers can reach customer support at 844-636-7687 if they have any queries.
CMT reached out to Family Dollar for further information, but they did not answer right away.