On Dec. 26, 2025, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall on dozens of brand-name grocery items stored by Gold Star Distribution, Inc., due to potential Salmonella contamination from the “presence of rodent and avian contamination and insanitary conditions during the storage process.” The impacted items include a massive list of well-known soda brands, candy companies, cereal varieties, pantry essentials, baking staples, popular condiments, and more.
Gold Star Distribution, Inc., issued the recall on the same day for all of the FDA-regulated products held at a storage facility with “the presence of rodent and avian contamination.” The items were later shipped to multiple states.
According to the FDA, it was determined that the facility conditions included “rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings.” No illnesses have been reported to date; however, the FDA stated that when handled or consumed, contaminated items “pose serious health risks to consumers, including the potential for bacterial contamination, which may result in illness or infection, including Salmonella.” Additionally, the recall announcement noted that “rodents are the main reservoirs of Leptospira, the bacteria that causes leptospirosis in humans.”
Here’s everything you need to know about this major recall and what to do if you have one of the potentially contaminated items.
How To Identify the Recalled Items
The recall does not apply to frozen and refrigerated products that Gold Star Distribution, Inc., shipped to retail and convenience stores—only to the shelf-stable items stored at the facility. However, those items were sent to more than 50 grocery and convenience stores across three states: Minnesota, Indiana, and North Dakota. The major cities include Indianapolis, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and Fargo.
A complete list of where the recalled items were distributed is outlined in the FDA announcement, as well as a full list of the distributed products with accompanying Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) and Universal Product Code (UPC). The full recall includes hundreds of products, from baby food and medicines to dozens and dozens of everyday grocery items.
Recalled Grocery Items Distributed by Gold Star Distribution, Inc.
Select Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Mountain Dew, and Other Sodas Recalled for Potential Salmonella
More than 10 major soda brands were listed in the recall, including select products from Pepsi, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Canada Dry, A&W, 7Up, Mountain Dew, Dr Pepper, Sunkist, and Sun Drop. Additional beverages recalled include select drinks from Snapple, Arizona Tea, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and Minute Maid. Many of these recalled drinks were sold in 20-ounce or two-liter bottles, as well as in 12-packs of cans.
Select Hershey’s, Snickers, M&M’s, Twix, and Other Candies Recalled for Potential Salmonella
Since most of the locations impacted by the recall are convenience stores, the list includes many snacks distributed by Gold Star—especially candy. Select items from Reese’s, Hershey’s, M&M’s, Kit Kat, Snickers, Twix, Butterfinger, Starburst, Airheads, Werther’s Original, Haribo, Skittles, Trolli, and more were named in the product list.
Other snacks listed in the recall include select items from Pringles, Jack Link’s, Takis, and more.
Select General Mills, Post, and Kellogg’s Cereals Recalled for Potential Salmonella
Another major category of food items distributed by Gold Star is cereal. Many popular cereal brands are listed in the recall, including select products from Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Rice Krispies, and more.
Select Heinz, Kraft, Conagra, and Other Grocery Staples Recalled for Potential Salmonella
Beyond popular snacks and drinks, the recall includes dozens of common pantry staples, from Hunt’s Tomato Paste to Heinz Ketchup. Other select items from Chef Boyardee, Ragu, and Kraft are mentioned. And several cooking and baking items are listed in the recall, too, from brands such as Morton Salt, Diamond Sugar, Gold Medal Flour, Jif, Nutella, and more.
What To Do if You Have One of These Recalled Items
If you have one of these recalled items, do not consume. Gold Star Distribution, Inc. will provide refunds upon request. Shoppers have been advised to destroy the affected products and “verify such destruction by receipt provided to Gold Star at 1000 N. Humboldt Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411.” Additionally, products “should not be shipped back to Gold Star under any circumstances.”
If you have questions about an item, you can contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, seven days a week.
