Family Dollar is voluntarily recalling several of its products that were shipped to more than 400 stores in the South after a US Food and Drug Administration investigation found a rat problem at a distribution center.
According to the New York Times, Family Dollar temporarily closed all of the affected locations on Saturday. A spokeswoman didn't respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The facility in West Memphis, Arkansas, was recently inspected by the FDA after receiving a consumer complaint. Regulators found live and dead rodents in various states of decay, as well as evidence of gnawing, feces and urine throughout the facility.
The agency said that more than 1,100 dead rodents were found at the facility. It said that regulators discovered a history of infestation. A review of the company's internal records showed the collection of more than 2,300 rodents from March to September of last year.
The kind of unacceptable conditions that we found in this Family Dollar distribution facility are not acceptable. Judith McMeekin said in a statement that the conditions appear to be violations of federal law. The FDA said that rodents can cause diseases. There were no reports of illness related to the recall, according to Family Dollar.
All drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, human and animal food products that were stored and shipped from the center to 404 stores across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee are included in the recall.
The alert covers purchases from Family Dollar stores in six states. The products shipped directly to the store aren't included. The recalls do not apply to any other locations.
Family Dollar is sending a letter to affected stores asking them to check their stock immediately and to stop selling affected products. The company said that customers who bought affected product at the Family Dollar store may return it.
A full list of the affected locations can be found here.
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