Louisville, KY – A wide-ranging recall has been issued after federal inspectors discovered products held under unsanitary conditions at a Louisville food and cosmetic distributor.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers, retailers and distributors not to use, eat, sell or serve any food or cosmetic products supplied by Pan-African Food Distributors Inc., operating as East Africa Boutique LLC, due to possible contamination with filth and serious health risks.
According to the FDA, a May inspection of the Louisville-based facility revealed a rodent infestation and numerous rodent droppings on product containers. The alert, updated Monday, now includes cosmetic products in addition to previously recalled shelf-stable foods such as infant cereals, baking ingredients and dried flours.
Products from the distributor may not always be clearly labeled with the company name, and the FDA recommends discarding any suspect items. Consumers should also sanitize areas that may have come into contact with the products.
The potential health consequences are serious. Items held under such unsanitary conditions may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause illnesses such as salmonellosis, E. coli infection, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever. The FDA advises individuals who suspect illness after using these products to consult a healthcare provider immediately.
Retailers and distributors in possession of products from Pan-African Food Distributors have been ordered to halt all sales and distribution. The state of Kentucky has enforced a mandatory shutdown of the company’s operations and imposed a product quarantine until the facility addresses the infestation and obtains appropriate permits.
The FDA is actively working with the company and its direct customers to remove all affected products from the market. A full list of recalled products is available through FDA channels and will be updated as new information emerges.
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