Rodent, Bird Contamination Prompts Recall Affecting Twin Cities Grocery Stores

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A wide-ranging recall affecting products sold at grocery stores and markets across the Twin Cities was announced Friday after federal inspectors found rodent and bird contamination at a Minneapolis distribution facility.

Gold Star Distribution Inc. said it is recalling all FDA-regulated products held at its facility after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined the warehouse was operating under insanitary conditions.

The recall spans food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pet food products distributed throughout Minnesota and nearby states.

According to the company and the FDA, inspectors documented the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where products were stored.

Officials said those conditions created a significant risk that products may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms.

Health Risks Outlined By FDA

The FDA warned that products stored under such conditions may become contaminated through contact with contaminated surfaces or exposure to airborne particulates associated with animal waste.

Gold Star said use or consumption of affected products could pose serious health risks, including potential exposure to Salmonella.

Salmonella infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and can be especially dangerous for infants, young children, elderly individuals, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

The recall notice also cited risks linked to rodent contamination, including possible exposure to Leptospira bacteria, which can cause leptospirosis in humans and animals.

Contaminated medical devices may increase the risk of infection, while contaminated foods, drugs, and cosmetics could cause adverse health effects if ingested or applied, according to the FDA.

Twin Cities Stores Impacted

Gold Star said recalled products were distributed to dozens of stores across the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota, including markets in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Burnsville, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Coon Rapids, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, New Hope, Apple Valley, Rochester, St. Cloud, and Fargo, North Dakota.

The list includes numerous grocery stores, international markets, and specialty retailers.

Minnesota Stores Listed In Gold Star Distribution Recall:

Minneapolis

African Halal Deli, Inc. – 301 E. Lake St.
Afrik Store – 613 Cedar Ave. S.
Ainu Shams Halal Food LLC – 200 W. Lake St., Suite 351
Brothers Imports – 3012 Pillsbury Ave. S.
Caspian Bistro Restaurant – 2418 University Ave. SE
Central Market – 3634 Central Ave. NE
Clinton Halal Market – 1930 Clinton Ave. S.
Durdur Market – 1552 E. Lake St.
Elliot Market Inc. – 1600 Chicago Ave.
Halal Mini Market – 410 Cedar Ave. S.
Jimmy’s Food – 1121 12th Ave. N.
Kalis Adult Daycare Center – 2301 2nd Ave. N.
Lake Street Market – 201 W. Lake St.
Midwest Market – 2000 Portland Ave. S.
Minneapolis Halal Market LLC – 2833 13th Ave. S.
Minnesota Halal Market – 1926 Chicago Ave. S.
Oasis Market and Deli – 920 E. Lake St., Suite 145
Shabelle Grocery – 2325 E. Franklin Ave.
Star Foods – 818 Lowry Ave.
Sudamic Import & Export Inc. – 2904 2nd Ave. N.
Super Plaza Halal Foods – 1525 S. 4th St., Suite 100
West Bank Market – 417 Cedar Ave. S.

St. Paul

Ashama Grocery – 804 University Ave. W
Ethio Market – 1316 Maynard Drive W
Friendly Grocery & Deli – 537 Rice St.
Ghaley Groceries Mart – 47 Little Canada Rd. E
Goinkh Trading LLC – 1263 Donahue Ave.
McKnight Shell Gas – 275 McKnight Rd.
Milton Halal Market – 757 Milton St. N
St. Paul Grocery – 470 Lexington Ave. N
Star Ocean – 1211 W. Pierce Butler Route
Sunray Halal Market – 373 Pedersen St.

Burnsville

Cliff Halal Market – 1918 E. Cliff Rd.
Halal Foods LLC – 13000 Aldrich Ave. S.

Bloomington

Desi Brothers – 8098 Morgan Cir. S.
TBS International Market – 7836 Portland Ave. S.

Brooklyn Park

EZ Stop Food Market – 7641 Zane Ave.

Brooklyn Center

Osari Trading LLC – 7308 Aspen Lane N.
Viengchan Oriental Market – 3050 Brookdale Drive

Coon Rapids

Palms Market – 105 85th Ave. NW
Pangea World Market – 8500 Springbrook Drive

Columbia Heights

Jerusalem Market – 4945 Central Ave. NE

New Hope

La Picante Market – 7914 Bass Lake Rd.

Apple Valley

Kismayo Halal – 7595 148th Ave.

Shakopee

MZ Market – 232 Marshall Road

Rochester

Baraka Grocery Inc. – 1005 N. Broadway Ave.
Kimis Grocery Store Inc. – 517 12th St. SE

St. Cloud

Kismayo Discount Store – 2932 W. Division St.
Panjha Brothers LLC – 3535 W. St. Germain St

Qalinle Family Grocery – 117 E. St. Germain St.

Hilltop

Peace Market – 923 45th Ave. NE

What Consumers Should Do

Consumers and retailers who purchased affected products are urged to destroy them immediately. Products should not be returned to Gold Star under any circumstances.

Gold Star said refunds will be provided upon request, and customers may verify destruction by submitting a receipt to the company at its Minneapolis address.

The recall does not apply to frozen or refrigerated items shipped directly to retail or convenience stores by distributors or manufacturers.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Anyone who believes they may have experienced health issues related to the recalled products should contact a health care provider. Pet owners with concerns about animals that consumed recalled pet food should contact a veterinarian.

Questions can be directed to Gold Star at 612-617-9800, available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Adverse reactions or product quality issues may also be reported through the FDA’s MedWatch program.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.