FDA MedWatch - Contaminated Products from Family Dollar Stores: FDA News Release

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TOPIC: Contaminated Products from Family Dollar Stores: FDA News Release - Potentially Contaminated Products in Six States  

AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Professional

ISSUE: The FDA is alerting the public that several categories of FDA-regulated products purchased from Jan. 1, 2021, through the present from Family Dollar stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee may be unsafe for consumers to use.

The impacted products originated from the company’s distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, where an FDA inspection found insanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation, that could cause many of the products to become contaminated. Conditions observed during the FDA’s inspection included live rodents, dead rodents in various states of decay, rodent feces and urine, evidence of gnawing, nesting and rodent odors throughout the facility, dead birds and bird droppings, and products stored in conditions that did not protect against contamination. Rodent contamination may cause Salmonella and infectious diseases, which may pose the greatest risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised people.

The FDA is working with the company to initiate a voluntary recall of the affected products.

For more information about this alert, click on the red button "Read Alert" below.

BACKGROUND: This alert covers FDA-regulated products purchased from Family Dollar stores in those six states from Jan. 1, 2021, through the present.

Some examples of these products include:

• human foods (including dietary supplements (vitamin, herbal and mineral supplements))
• cosmetics (skincare products, baby oils, lipsticks, shampoos, baby wipes), animal foods (kibble, pet treats, wild bird seed)
• medical devices (feminine hygiene products, surgical masks, contact lens cleaning solutions, bandages, nasal care products) and
• over-the-counter (OTC) medications (pain medications, eye drops, dental products, antacids, other medications for both adults and children).

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Consumers are advised not to use and to contact the company regarding impacted products.

• Consumers should wash their hands immediately after handling any products from the affected Family Dollar stores.

• Consumers who recently purchased affected products should contact a health care professional immediately if they have health concerns after using or handling impacted products.
• FDA is advising that all drugs, medical devices, cosmetics and dietary supplements, regardless of packaging, be discarded. Food in non-permeable packaging (such as undamaged glass or all-metal cans) may be suitable for use if thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

Consumers and health professionals are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report online.
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.