It's reported three states received product from a warehouse housing "medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products" that also housed "filth and harmful microorganisms."
As you’re pulling your household’s favorite peanut butter from the grocery shelf or re-stocking on headache or allergy tablets, you take for granted that the product manufacturers carefully followed all the appropriate guidelines relating to food safety and public health. When those standards slip, the results can be serious—for example, hundreds of consumer products shipped to at least three Midwest states are possibly implicated in an investigation due to “filth and harmful microorganisms.”
The sweeping recall is drawing attention for its size, scope, and the apparent recognizability of some products that appear to be adjacent to it. On December 26, 2025, Minnesota-based Gold Star Distribution, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of all FDA-regulated products held at its Minneapolis facility after federal inspectors identified severe sanitation problems that could put consumers, and pets, at risk.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the warehouse was cited for what the FDA lists as “Potential Salmonella contamination, presence of rodent and avian contamination and insanitary conditions during the storage process.” Specifically, rodent droppings, urine, and bird waste existed “in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.” To this, the FDA added: “These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms.”
Though it’s not entirely confirmed which items were exposed, the FDA shared what they called the “comprehensive list of affected products.” Recognizable brand names and individual products comprise a list more than 40 pages long. Gold Star’s product list includes such well-known brand names as Advil, Beyer, Claritin, Dole, Domino’s, Haribo, Hershey, JIF, Kellogg’s, Pringles, Ragu, Tylenol, Pepcid, Chex, Lifesavers, Swedish Fish, Cocoa Krispies, Gatorade, Cheerios, Trojan condoms, and others.
The items were reportedly distributed to three states: Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota. However, it appears the vast majority of distribution appears to have occurred in Minnesota, in cities such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Bloomington, Burnsville, and other locations.
While no illnesses have been reported so far, the recall reportedly applies to all FDA-regulated products stored at the facility, regardless of brand recognition or product type. The FDA states that items shipped directly from manufacturers to retailers—such as frozen or refrigerated goods—are not included.
In addition to Salmonella concern, the FDA also warns that rodent contamination raises the risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial illness that can affect both humans and animals.
Additionally, “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,” the FDA notes.
Consumers and retailers who purchased affected products are urged to destroy them immediately and not return them to the company. The FDA says refunds are available through Gold Star Distribution. Anyone experiencing health symptoms after using a recalled product should contact a healthcare provider, while pet owners should consult a veterinarian if their animals consumed affected pet food. Consumers with questions may also contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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