Stores hit by recalls following inspection

Franklin County’s two Family Dollar stores — in Meadville and Smithdale — joined more than 400 other locations in the Southeastern United States that were shuttered in recent days as the discount retailer dealt with issues of rodent infestations at its West Memphis, Ark., regional distribution facility.

The company instituted a voluntary retail-level recall of certain products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that were stored and shipped from the distribution center between Jan. 1, 2021, through Feb. 18, 2022.

Recalled items included all drugs; medical devices; cosmetics; dietary supplements; and human and animal (pet) food products.

The recall does not apply to products that were directly shipped to stores by their distributors or manufacturers — such as all frozen and refrigerated goods.

FDA inspectors reportedly found “live rodents, dead rodents in various states of decay, rodent feces and urine, evidence of gnawing, nesting and rodent odors throughout the facility, dead birds and bird droppings, and products stored in conditions that did not protect against contamination.”

Numerous hazards are associated with rodents, including the potential presence of salmonella.

Health officials said the use or consumption of affected products could present a risk of illness tied to the organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in infants, young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant persons and those with pre-existing conditions or weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In rare circumstances, infections can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Family Dollar notified its affected stores — located in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee — in writing last week and asked them to check their stock immediately and to quarantine and discontinue the sale of any affected products.

Customers who might have bought affected products can return such items to the Family Dollar store where they were purchased without receipt.

To date, Family Dollar said it was not aware of any consumer complaints or reports of illness related to this recall.

Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact Family Dollar Customer Service at 844-636-7687 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central time.

Individuals should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that might be related to using these products.

Customers with concerns about their pets, who have eaten recalled animal food products, should contact their veterinarian.

Family Dollar is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dollar Tree Inc., which is headquartered in Chesapeake, Va.

The company has more than 8,000 stores across the country, but the recall effort involves those 404 sites served by the Arkansas regional distribution center.

Other retail store locations in Southwest Mississippi impacted by the recalls include Bassfield, Brookhaven, Crystal Springs, Gloster, Hazlehurst, Liberty, Magnolia, Monticello, Natchez, Port Gibson, Prentiss, Wesson and Woodville.