MINNEAPOLIS, MN (December 26, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a broad recall issued by Gold Star Distribution, Inc. involving all FDA-regulated products stored at one of the company’s facilities, citing potential Salmonella contamination and insanitary conditions. According to the FDA, the recall affects a wide range of items, including drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, human food, and pet food distributed in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Indiana.
Regulators said an FDA inspection found evidence of rodent and avian contamination at the storage facility, creating a risk that products were adulterated before reaching consumers.
Gold Star Distribution recall: quick summary
Gold Star Distribution has voluntarily recalled all FDA-regulated products held at its Minneapolis facility after regulators identified conditions that could allow contamination. The recall spans multiple product categories rather than a single brand or SKU, reflecting concerns tied to storage conditions rather than manufacturing defects. The FDA reported no illnesses to date but warned that exposure to contaminated products could pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Regulators advised consumers and retailers not to use the affected items and to destroy them as instructed by the company.
Official recall details
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Recall date: December 26, 2025
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Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Company: Gold Star Distribution, Inc.
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Products: All FDA-regulated products held at the facility (multiple brands)
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Issue: Potential Salmonella contamination; rodent and avian contamination; insanitary storage conditions
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Product details: Drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, human food, and pet food; various sizes and UPCs
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Consumer instructions: Do not use the products; destroy them and obtain verification for a refund
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Want to know more about what happened? Keep reading.
What happened?
The FDA said Gold Star Distribution initiated the recall after an inspection determined that its Minneapolis facility was operating under insanitary conditions. In its recall alert, the agency noted the presence of “rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.”
Gold Star Distribution announced the recall on December 26, 2025, in coordination with the FDA. The company told regulators it became aware of the issue following the inspection and agreed to recall all potentially affected products stored at the site. Distribution records show that Gold Star Distribution shipped the items to dozens of retailers and markets across Minnesota, as well as to locations in North Dakota and Indiana.
In its notice, the FDA warned that “products held under insanitary conditions may become contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms,” adding that Salmonella exposure can be especially dangerous for infants, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best by date | Issue | Affected states |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Multiple | FDA-regulated products | Various | Various | Various | Potential Salmonella; insanitary conditions | MN, ND, IN |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA notice, inspectors found evidence of pest contamination at the storage facility, raising the risk of Salmonella and other pathogens. The agency confirmed that rodents can carry Salmonella and Leptospira, bacteria that may cause serious illness in humans and animals. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. No illnesses have been reported so far.
Questions you might have
All FDA-regulated products stored at Gold Star Distribution’s facility, including foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, dietary supplements, and pet food.
The FDA found insanitary storage conditions, including rodent and bird contamination, which may have exposed products to harmful bacteria.
Yes. The FDA warned that the conditions could lead to Salmonella contamination.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported as of the recall date.
Infants, older adults, pregnant people, immunocompromised individuals, and pets are at higher risk of severe illness.
Symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Severe cases may require medical care.
Do not use it. Destroy the product and follow Gold Star Distribution’s instructions to obtain a refund.
No. Products should not be returned or shipped back. They must be destroyed as directed.
Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet shows signs of illness.
Consumers can contact Gold Star Distribution directly at 612-617-9800 with questions or refund requests.
Here’s what you should do
- Do not consume, use, or resell the affected products.
- Destroy the items and obtain verification for a refund.
- Check product labels and distribution records to confirm whether the items were stored at the affected facility.
- For questions or refunds, contact Gold Star Distribution at 612-617-9800.
Behind the brand
Gold Star Distribution, Inc. is a regional distributor supplying a wide range of consumer goods to independent markets and specialty retailers. The company’s recall notice states that it has ceased distribution of the affected products and is working closely with the FDA. Source86 reached out to Gold Star for additional comment, but has not yet received a response.
Other relevant recalls
The Gold Star Distribution recall follows a broader pattern of FDA enforcement actions tied to insanitary storage conditions and contamination risks across the supply chain. In recent months, Source86 has reported on several similar recalls where improper handling, pest exposure, or facility-level failures prompted the widespread removal of products.
Earlier this year, Mellace Family Brands California Inc. recalled Wegmans Deluxe Mixed Nuts Unsalted after testing identified a potential risk of Salmonella contamination, prompting the product’s removal from store shelves as a precautionary measure. In another high-profile case, Glaum Egg Ranch recalled its cage-free eggs after health officials linked them to a Salmonella outbreak, highlighting how bacterial contamination can quickly escalate from a single facility into a public health concern.
Recalls have also affected pet products. Consumers Supply Distributing recently recalled Country Vet dog biscuits over possible Salmonella contamination, underscoring the risks such pathogens pose not only to humans but also to animals and their owners through handling and cross-contact.
Together, these recalls reflect a recurring theme in FDA oversight: contamination risks often extend beyond manufacturing and can emerge at any point in the storage, handling, or distribution process.
Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the Gold Star Distribution recall underscores a fundamental industry lesson:
“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. When sanitation failures occur at the distribution level, the impact ripples across brands, retailers, and consumers. Strong oversight, transparency, and supplier accountability are essential to maintaining that trust.”
Ensuring safe eats
This recall highlights how storage and handling practices can impact food and product safety across the supply chain. Preventing similar incidents requires rigorous facility oversight, pest control, and traceability systems. Consumers should promptly dispose of recalled products and monitor FDA alerts.
At Source86, we help brands manage sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private-label production with transparency and precision, ensuring supply chains can respond quickly when recalls occur. Contact us.
