FDA issues warning after Family Dollar distribution center found infested with rodents

Federal inspectors say they found more than 1,000 rodents inside a Family Dollar distribution facility in Arkansas.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about potentially contaminated food, lipstick and other products from Family Dollar stores in six southern states following a major rodent infestation at one of its distribution centers.

Live rodents, dead rodents in "various stages of decay," rodent feces and urine, "evidence of gnawing, nesting and rodent odors," dead birds and bird droppings were found inside a Family Dollar distribution center in Arkansas during an inspection January, according to the FDA.

More than 1,100 dead rodents were recovered from the Arkansas distribution center following a fumigation around that time, according to the agency. There is evidence this has been a persisting issue at the facility for far longer, the FDA said.

A review of the company's internal records showed more than 2,300 rodents were collected between March 29 and Sept. 17, 2021, according to the FDA.