Hundreds of Family Dollar locations across the United States have been closed temporarily because of a rodent infestation.

The infestation is the same reason the company has recalled food, pet food, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and cosmetics, the company said in a press release.

Family Dollar closures, recall, linked to Arkansas distribution center

The voluntary product recall affects products that were shipped to hundreds of stores from a Family Dollar distribution center in West Memphis, Arkansas. The distribution dates of concern began on January 1, 2021 and extend through the present time.

The FDA said on Friday that more than 1,000 rodents were found inside an Arkansas distribution center that served Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. 

The FDA began its investigation after a consumer complaint. The agency said it observed “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.”

A review of the company’s internal records also found a previous history of infestation.

“Families rely on stores like Family Dollar for products such as food and medicine. They deserve products that are safe,” said Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judith McMeekin, Pharm.D.

“No one should be subjected to products stored in the kind of unacceptable conditions that we found in this Family Dollar distribution facility. These conditions appear to be violations of federal law that could put families’ health at risk. We will continue to work to protect consumers.”

Products of concern in the Family Dollar recall

According to the FDA, some examples of potentially infested products include:

• human food, including vitamin, herbal, and mineral supplements
• skin care products, baby oils, lipsticks, shampoos and baby wipes;
• animal food, including kibble, pet treats, and wild bird seed
• medical devices, including feminine hygiene products, surgical masks, contact lens cleaning solutions, bandages, and nasal care products, and
• over-the-counter medications for pain, eye drops, dental products, and antacids.

Family Dollar said the “recall does not apply to products shipped directly to the stores by the distributor or manufacturer, such as all frozen and refrigerated items.” 

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