TOPIC: 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, Presence of Rodent and Avian Contamination and Insanitary Conditions During the Storage Process
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Care Professional, Pharmacy, Risk Manager, Veterinary Medicine
ISSUE: Gold Star Distribution is recalling all FDA regulated products listed in the press release 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 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.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
For more information about this recall, click on the red button "Read Recall" below.
BACKGROUND: Products like the ones being recalled and 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.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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Customers should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using these products.
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Customers with concerns about their pets who have eaten the recalled animal food products should contact their veterinarian.
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Consumers and retailers who purchased the affected products should destroy the products as soon as possible and verify such destruction by receipt provided to Gold Star at 1000 N. Humboldt Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Products should not be shipped back to Gold Star under any circumstances. Gold Star will provide refunds upon request.
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If you have any questions, contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800.
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