In a recent announcement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that retail giant Family Dollar has pleaded guilty to storing consumer goods in a rodent-infested warehouse. This admission of guilt comes with a record-setting $41.675 million penalty, making it the largest monetary fine ever in a food safety criminal case.
According to the DOJ, Family Dollar Stores LLC was charged with a misdemeanor for allowing FDA-regulated products to be contaminated under unsanitary conditions. The company has acknowledged that its distribution center in Arkansas shipped contaminated products to over 400 stores in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
“It is incomprehensible that Family Dollar knew about the rodent and pest issues at its distribution center in Arkansas but continued to ship products that were unsafe and insanitary,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Jonathan D. Ross.
This sentiment was echoed by Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, who stated that the Department of Justice will hold companies accountable for violating consumer trust and safety.
The DOJ revealed that FDA inspectors found live and dead rodents, rodent droppings, urine, and signs of decay and nesting throughout the warehouse during a Jan. 2022 inspection. Despite previous complaints in August 2020, Family Dollar continued operations until the FDA inspection forced a massive recall of affected products.
A proposed class action filed in federal court in Florida accuses Family Dollar and its parent Dollar Tree of selling contaminated or damaged products. The new lawsuit follows a separate MDL over claims that rats contaminated products at some stores https://t.co/ei6n21MpC7 pic.twitter.com/Cca5pNmWsH
— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) February 23, 2024
As a result of the infestation, the storage site underwent a fumigation process, which eliminated approximately 1,270 rodents, according to the plea agreement. This brings attention to the importance of proper pest control measures in warehouses and other storage facilities, especially when dealing with FDA-regulated products that are meant for human consumption.
Consumers trust that the products they purchase from retailers are safe, and it is the responsibility of companies to ensure that this trust is not compromised. This case serves as a reminder that companies must prioritize public health and safety over profits and address any issues promptly.
