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Gold Star recalled nearly 2,000 products due to unsanitary warehouse conditions. Here’s what shoppers should know.
If your pantry is currently stocked with familiar brands like Cheerios, Takis, Coca-Cola or Heinz, now is a good time to scan your shelves. In late December, Gold Star Distribution, Inc. recalled thousands of products after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that the company’s warehouse was operating under unsanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent and bird waste.
Now, the FDA has classified the recall as Class II. That means using the recalled products may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, while the risk of serious illness is considered remote.
What caused the recall?
Gold Star started the recall on December 26, 2025, after the FDA determined that the company’s facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota, had “insanitary conditions,” including “rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings.”
According to the FDA notice, food and household items may have been exposed to contaminated surfaces or airborne particles. Because there’s a risk the products were “contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms,” the products were recalled.
What stores sold the recalled products?
The recalled products were distributed to stores in three states:
- Indiana
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
Because this recall spans many different types of items, the FDA has not released a single, store-by-store retailer list. Instead, the agency has published a 44-page list of recalled products, including brand names and UPC codes, which you can use to check items at home.
How do I know if I have a recalled product?
The recall includes nearly 2,000 items across several categories, including well-known grocery, pet food and personal care brands. Some of the brands include:
- Trolli
- Wish-Bone
- Cheerios
- Enfamil
- Welch’s
- Airheads
- Faygo
- Lemonhead
- Gatorade
- Ice Breakers
- Jolly Rancher
- Jarritos
- Takis
- Laffy Taffy
- Kotex
- Always
- Warheads
- Kinder Bueno
- Hunt’s
- Tapatio
- Gillette
- Carmex
- Goya
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Hershey’s
- Kraft
- Jif
- Lawry’s
- Lipton
- Chef Boyardee
- Coffee Mate
- Mr. Coffee
- Kellogg’s Corn Flakes
- Coca-Cola
- Heinz
The FDA’s list includes exact UPCs and SKUs. Because the list is so long, the easiest way to confirm whether something in your home is included is to:
- Check the FDA recall notice
- Search the product list for the brand name
- Match the UPC or SKU on your packaging
If you’re unsure, it’s safest not to consume or use the product until you can confirm it is not part of the recall.
What should I do next?
If you have any of the recalled products at home, don’t eat them or use them. Gold Star says customers should destroy recalled items.
Because the list is so extensive, the safest step is to check the FDA’s product document and compare the UPC or SKU on your packaging.
If you have any questions about a return or refund, reach out to the store where you purchased the product. And if you feel unwell after using or eating something recalled, contact a healthcare provider.
