CLEVELAND, Ohio – A massive food and product recall has been initiated because of the presence of rodent and avian contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Gold Star Distribution Inc. is recalling multiple FDA-regulated products, including Cheerios, Advil, Nutella, Mazola Corn Oil and many others. They are listed in this 44-page document at fda.org.
Persons handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill. The FDA determined the facility was operating under unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta and bird droppings in areas where food (human and pet), medical devices, drugs and cosmetic products were held.
The products were distributed primarily to stores in Minnesota, where the company is based.
No illnesses have been reported to date. According to the FDA, consumers and retailers who purchased the affected products should destroy them. They should verify such destruction by receipt provided to Gold Star at 1000 N. Humboldt Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411. Products should not be shipped back to Gold Star. The company will provide refunds upon request.
Contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of the product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by mail or by fax. Go to fda.gov or call 800-332-1088.
For details on recalls and food-safety questions, call the USDA meat and poultry hotline, 888-674-6854 or chat via Ask USDA 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Consumers can email questions to MPHotline@usda.gov. For those who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry or egg product, the electronic consumer-complaint monitoring system is online. Recalls are posted online.
