The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has put out an alert to 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 unsanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation, that could cause many of the products to become contaminated. The FDA is working with the company to initiate a voluntary recall of the affected products.
“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.”
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 medications (pain medications, eye drops, dental products, antacids, other medications for both adults and children).
Consumers are advised not to use and to contact the company regarding impacted products. The agency is also 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 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. Rodent contamination may cause Salmonella and infectious diseases, which may pose the greatest risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised people.
Following a consumer complaint, the FDA began an investigation of the Family Dollar distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, in January 2022. Family Dollar ceased distribution of products within days of the FDA inspection team’s arrival on-site and the inspection concluded on Feb. 11. Conditions observed during the 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. More than 1,100 dead rodents were recovered from the facility following a fumigation at the facility in January 2022. Additionally, a review of the company’s internal records also indicated the collection of more than 2,300 rodents between Mar. 29 and Sep. 17, 2021, demonstrating a history of infestation.
State Rep. Hardaway: ‘Stop shopping at Family Dollar stores’
State Rep. G. A. Hardaway and other community leaders held a press conference Monday to warn people about the potential health hazards of shopping at Family Dollar stores.
Late last week, the Food and Drug Administration alerted the public about potentially contaminated products at Family Dollar stores in six states, including Tennessee
“I’m requesting the state of Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH), the Tenn. Division of Consumer Affairs, the Tenn. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), the Tenn. Department of Human Services (TDHS) and the Shelby County Department of Health to immediately launch full, thorough and independent investigations of Family Dollar’s business and operational practices, including, but not limited to, the FDA findings of unsafe and unsanitary conditions. In addition, I am contacting the Department of Human Services (DHS) for potential emergency food replacement and the Tennessee Department of Labor for possible emergency unemployment benefits,” said Rep. Hardaway
“I am also requesting the Tennessee House of Representatives Government Operations Committee to convene hearings, as soon as possible, to determine how the ongoing threat to public health posed by the Family Dollar stores has gone either undetected or unregulated by the state and local agencies responsible for insuring public health and employee safety.
“All state agency and legislature investigation findings should be shared with the Tenn. Attorney General for evaluation of possible civil and criminal liabilities and to ascertain whether further legal actions are justified.
Hardaway also encouraged any hesitant employees or consumers to contact him at (901) 949-1000, assuring complete confidentiality.
