Massive Recall due to Rodent and Bird Feces

Gold Star Distribution, Inc. (Gold Star or “the Company”) is recalling all FDA-regulated products listed in this press release due to the presence of rodent and bird contamination.

People handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration by pests, including rodents, birds and insects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that the facility was operating in unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent feces, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetics were held. These conditions create a significant risk that products held in the facility have become contaminated with dirt and harmful microorganisms.

Products stored in unsanitary conditions can become contaminated through contact with contaminated surfaces or exposure to airborne particles associated with animal waste. Exposure to contaminated products can pose serious health risks to consumers, including the risk of bacterial contamination that can lead to illness or infection, including Salmonella. There are many dangers associated with rodents, including the potential presence of Salmonella. Use or consumption of affected products may pose a risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonellaan organism that can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in infants, young children, the frail or elderly, pregnant people, people with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipients, etc.), and other people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often have fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella the organism can enter the bloodstream and produce more serious diseases such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Additionally, products contaminated with dirt, rodent droppings, and rodent urine can cause illness in animals that consume the food or in humans who come into contact with the products. Rodents are the main reservoirs of Leptospira, the bacteria responsible for leptospirosis in humans and animals.

Contaminated medical devices may increase the risk of device-associated infections, medications and foods may cause adverse health effects if ingested, and cosmetic products applied to the skin or eyes may cause skin irritation, infection, or other adverse effects.

The recalled products were distributed in all or part of the following stores:

The products covered by this recall all include: medications; medical devices; beauty products; food supplements; and food products for humans and animals (pets). The recall does not apply to products shipped directly to retail/convenience stores by the distributor or manufacturer, such as all frozen and refrigerated items. For a complete list of affected products, please visit the FDA website at fda.gov.

No illnesses have been reported to date.