The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of numerous brand-name grocery items stored by Gold Star Distribution, Inc., “due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination.” “Persons handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects,” the FDA stated in a press release. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that the facility was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held. These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms,” it continued. The recall impacts three states – Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota. Certain FDA-Regulated Products in Three States Including Drugs, Devices, Cosmetics, Human Foods, and Pet Foods by Gold Star Distribution: Recall – Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination https://t.co/c056fbT6If pic.twitter.com/sKpP9BFEkQ — US FDA MedWatch (@FDAMedWatch) December 29, 2025 More from the FDA: Products held under insanitary conditions may become contaminated through contact with contaminated surfaces or exposure to airborne particulates associated with animal waste. Exposure to contaminated products can pose serious health risks to consumers, including the potential for bacterial contamination, which may result in illness or infection, including Salmonella. There are numerous hazards associated with rodents including the potential presence of Salmonella. Use or consumption of affected products may present risk of illness due to the potential presence of Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons, persons with pre-existent pathology (e.g., patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments, organ transplant recipient, etc.) and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. Additionally, products contaminated with filth, rodent excreta, and rodent urine may cause illness in the animals that consume the food or humans that are in contact with the products. Rodents are the main reservoirs of Leptospira the bacteria that causes leptospirosis in humans and animals. Contaminated medical devices may increase the risk of device-associated infections, drugs and foods may cause adverse health effects if ingested, and cosmetics applied to the skin or eyes may lead to skin irritation, infection, or other adverse reactions. “Products covered by this recall include all: drugs; medical devices; cosmetics; dietary supplements; and human and animal (pet) food products. 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,” the FDA stated. No illnesses have been reported to date. BREAKING | Multi-State Product RecallGold Star Distribution has issued a voluntary recall of all FDA-regulated products stored at one of its facilities after inspectors found rodent and bird contamination. The recall spans three states. #ProtectTheWorldhttps://t.co/ppyWCjtN9h pic.twitter.com/uZ3rpvePvX — Citizen (@CitizenApp) December 27, 2025 Allrecipes shared further: The recall does not apply to frozen and refrigerated products that Gold Star Distribution, Inc., shipped to retail and convenience stores—only to the shelf-stable items stored at the facility. However, those items were sent to more than 50 grocery and convenience stores across three states: Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota. The major cities include Indianapolis, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and Fargo. A complete list of where the recalled items were distributed is outlined in the FDA announcement, as well as a full list of the distributed products with accompanying Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Universal Product Code (UPC). The full recall includes hundreds of products, from baby food and medicines to dozens and dozens of everyday grocery items. More than 10 major soda brands were listed in the recall, including select products from Pepsi, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Canada Dry, A&W, 7Up, Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, Sunkist, and Sun Drop. Additional beverages recalled include select drinks from Snapple, Arizona Tea, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and Minute Maid. Many of these recalled drinks were sold in 20-ounce or two-liter bottles, as well as in 12-packs of cans. Since most of the locations impacted by the recall are convenience stores, the list includes many snacks distributed by Gold Star—especially candy. Select items from Reese’s, Hershey’s, M&M’s, Kit Kat, Snickers, Twix, Butterfinger, Starburst, Airheads, Werther’s Original, Haribo, Skittles, Trolli, and more were named in the product list. Other snacks listed in the recall include select items from Pringles, Jack Link’s, Takis, and more. Another major category of food items distributed by Gold Star is cereal. Many popular cereal brands are listed in the recall, including select products from Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Rice Krispies, and more. Beyond popular snacks and drinks, the recall includes dozens of common pantry staples, from Hunt’s Tomato Paste to Heinz Ketchup. Other select items from Chef Boyardee, Ragu, and Kraft are mentioned. And several cooking and baking items are listed in the recall, too, from brands such as Morton Salt, Diamond Sugar, Gold Medal Flour, Jif, Nutella, and more. Read the full FDA announcement HERE.