Thousands of Gold Star Items Recalled for Exposure to Rodent Waste

Nearly 2,000 products have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and bird contamination.

Gold Star Distribution, Inc. has recalled thousands of food items, pet foods, beauty products and drugs distributed to three states, according to a notice shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The recall, which was initially released on Dec. 26, was prompted after the FDA determined that the Minneapolis-based facility was operating under “insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings.” This means that the affected products may have been in contact with surfaces with airborne particles of animal waste. Exposure to these contaminated products could cause illness like salmonella or leptospirosis, a bacterial disease from exposure to animal urine.

The FDA gave the recall a Class II classification on Jan. 22, meaning that use of the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” per the organization’s site.

Affected products were distributed to stores in Indiana, Minnesota and North Dakota. A specific list of retailers can be found on the FDA’s website here.

The list of affected items spans across cosmetics, drugs, pet food, household items and food and beverages. 

Candies like Jolly Ranchers, Skittles and Sour Patch Kids were affected, along with other snacks like Pringles and Takis, were affected. Breakfast items were affected too, with boxes of Cheerios and Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal among a long list of recalled cereals. A range of drinks including Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Smart Water and Arizona Iced Teas are recalled as well. Even pantry staples, including Heinz Ketchup, Crisco Oil and cinnamon sticks, were affected by the recall.

Pepto Bismol, Axe body spray, Q-Tip cotton swabs, Fancy Feast cat food and Gillette razors are just a few of the other types of affected items. 

A full list of recalled items with their exact UPC and SKUs is available on the recall notice.

The company advises consumers who purchased the affected products to “destroy the products as soon as possible,” per the recall announcement.

Gold Star Distribution, Inc. did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request to comment.