Rodent Contamination Triggers Massive Recall of Cheerios, Pringles, Coke, and Other Popular Products

Check your pantry. Gold Star Distribution, Inc., of Minneapolis, is recalling hundreds of products due to rodent and avian contamination in its storage facility, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The products involved in this recall include a variety of pet food, over-the-counter medications, candy, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, canned goods, cereals, and other grocery items from brand names such as Cheerios, Pringles, Coke, and Hershey's. A full list of the items, which were distributed to more than 50 stores, can be found on the FDA notice.

According to the release, "persons handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds, and insects." The agency determined that the facility was operating under unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where the recalled products were held. This exposure creates a high risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with harmful microorganisms.

So far, no illnesses have been reported related to the recall. However, the FDA explains in the notice that exposure to contaminated products can pose serious health risks to consumers, including the potential for bacterial contamination such as salmonella.

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Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, older people, pregnant persons, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, an infection can result in more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis, according to the FDA.

Leptospirosis can also be found in contaminated water or soil and is spread by rodents. It affects both animals and people. Without treatment, it can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death in humans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Signs and symptoms in infected animals can vary widely, with some animals not showing symptoms at all. If your pet has eaten the recalled animal food products, contact your veterinarian.

Affected cosmetics that are applied to the skin or eyes may lead to skin irritation, infection, or other adverse reactions. Contact your health care provider if you've experienced any problems that may be related to using the recalled products.

Consumers and retailers who purchased the affected products should destroy them as soon as possible and provide proof of the destruction to Gold Star at 1000 N. Humboldt Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn., 55411. Products should not be shipped back to the company. Gold Star will provide refunds upon request. For questions, contact the distributor at 612-617-9800, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time.