Gold Star Recall Sweeps Midwest Stores Over Contamination

Nearly 2,000 everyday products—including beloved snacks, household staples, and even over-the-counter medications—have been swept up in a sweeping recall after federal regulators discovered alarming sanitary violations at a Minneapolis warehouse. The recall, announced in late December 2025 and elevated in severity by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 22, 2026, affects thousands of items sold across Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. From Cheerios and Nutella to Tylenol and pet foods, the breadth of the recall is staggering, leaving consumers across the Midwest double-checking their pantries and medicine cabinets.

According to the FDA, the recall was triggered after investigators found the Gold Star Distribution, Inc. facility operating under what the agency called "insanitary conditions." Their inspection uncovered rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in storage areas where food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and pet foods were kept. The FDA’s official notice stated, "These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms." The agency went on to warn that exposure to such contamination could lead to serious health risks, including bacterial infections like salmonella and leptospirosis.

The list of recalled products is both extensive and familiar. As reported by PEOPLE and Newsweek, it includes popular snacks and breakfast staples such as Jif Crunchy Peanut Butter, Nutella, Skittles, Snickers, Twix, Haribo Gummy Bears, Pringles, Takis, Cheerios, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Quaker Corn Meal, Special K, and Lucky Charms. Beverage brands like Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Smart Water, and Arizona Iced Teas are also affected. Over-the-counter medications and supplements—such as Halls Defense Vitamin C drops, Mentos Gum with Vitamins, Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, Benadryl, and even liquid DayQuil—were included, as well as pet food brands like Purina, Friskies, and Fancy Feast. The full 44-page list, including SKUs and UPCs, is available on the FDA’s website for consumers to check their purchases.

“The exposure to contaminated products could result in illnesses like salmonella infection or leptospirosis,” Gold Star Distribution warned in its December 26 safety alert, as cited by TODAY.com. According to the Cleveland Clinic, leptospirosis—a bacterial disease spread via rodent urine—can cause symptoms such as high fever, red eyes, abdominal pain, headache, muscle aches, chills, rash, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Salmonella, meanwhile, is notorious for causing severe gastrointestinal distress, with symptoms typically appearing between 12 and 72 hours after exposure and lasting up to a week. The risk is especially concerning for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

Despite the scope of the recall and the seriousness of the potential health risks, the FDA has reported no illnesses linked to these products as of January 29, 2026. Still, the agency and Gold Star Distribution are urging consumers and retailers to act quickly. The FDA’s Class II recall designation means that use of the products “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” In other words, while the risk of severe harm is considered low, the presence of filth and harmful microorganisms is enough to warrant immediate action.

The affected products were distributed to over 50 locations across Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In Minnesota, impacted cities include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Burnsville, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Saint Cloud, Apple Valley, New Hope, Shakopee, Coon Rapids, and Hilltop. Indiana’s affected shipments were limited to Indianapolis, and in North Dakota, only Fargo was impacted, according to Newsweek. Notably, the recall does not apply to frozen and refrigerated items shipped directly by manufacturers to retail and convenience stores.

So, what should consumers do if they find one of these products in their home? The FDA is clear: destroy the affected items immediately. Products should not be returned to Gold Star Distribution under any circumstances. Instead, consumers are encouraged to contact Gold Star for a refund, providing proof of destruction if requested. Gold Star Distribution can be reached at (612) 617-9800 during business hours, seven days a week. For those who believe they may have experienced an adverse reaction after consuming or handling a recalled product, it’s recommended to contact a healthcare provider or veterinarian for pets, and to report incidents through the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

The recall has sent ripples through the food and consumer goods industries, as well as among shoppers who rely on these everyday products. While the FDA and Gold Star Distribution have moved quickly to alert the public and retailers, the incident has raised fresh concerns about supply chain oversight and warehouse sanitation. As FOX Local and PEOPLE reported, the FDA’s findings have prompted calls for stricter monitoring and more rigorous standards at distribution facilities. The agency’s statement underscored the gravity of the situation: “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.”

This recall is part of a broader pattern of recent food safety concerns. Just last week, Navitas Organics recalled select lots of its Organic Chia Seeds due to potential salmonella contamination, and Gerber Products Company recalled batches of Arrowroot Biscuits for possible plastic or paper contamination. These incidents have highlighted the complex challenges of maintaining safety in sprawling distribution networks, where a single lapse in sanitation can threaten the health of thousands.

For now, regulators and the public alike are watching closely to ensure no illnesses occur and that recalled products are swiftly removed from circulation. The FDA has pledged ongoing monitoring and potential updates to enforcement records as the situation develops. In the meantime, consumers are urged to stay vigilant, consult the FDA’s recall list, and err on the side of caution when it comes to affected products lurking in their kitchens, medicine cabinets, or pet food bins.

This episode serves as a stark reminder that even the most familiar brands and products can be vulnerable to unseen hazards, and that food safety is a shared responsibility—from warehouse workers and regulators to shoppers at the checkout line.