Rodent infestation has prompted a recall for dozens of food and personal care items distributed by Pan-African Food Distributors of Louisville, KY, which does business as East Africa Boutique. Rodent droppings on product containers pose the risk of infections from Salmonella, E. coli, Yersinia, Leptospira, Hantavirus, and rat-bite fever, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To see the long list of recalled products, including a variety of flours, lotions, and soap, click here.
Do You Need a Food Poisoning Lawyer?
Rat-Bite Fever?
Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) isn’t something that pops up on the FDA’s food recall page often. In fact, this may be a first. So, what is it, and how is it transmitted?
RBF is a rare, potentially fatal infection that does not require direct contact with rodents. People get RBF from scratches, bites, or contact with an infected rodent’s urine or saliva. It can also spread through contact with contaminated materials or eating or drinking contaminated food or drinks.
Symptoms
Symptoms of RBF usually develop within three to 10 days of exposure but can sometimes take as long as three weeks to appear. They include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Swollen joints that are red and painful
- Rash
Treatment
Antibiotics can treat RBF and, if taken early enough, can prevent complications that cause organ damage and death.
Within 2 to 4 days after the fever begins, a rash may appear on the hands and feet. This rash looks like flat, reddened areas with small bumps. One or more joints may then become swollen, red, or painful
Rodent Infestation, No Permit
Last month, FDA inspectors visited Pan-African’s Louisville facility and discovered an “active rodent infestation” with rodent droppings on product containers. On May 23, the agency issued a public health alert warning consumers who had purchased any of the company’s products not to use them.
Kentucky health officials ordered a mandatory shutdown of operations and quarantine of all products on site after discovering that the firm does not have a required permit. The business can’t reopen until the infestation has been resolved.
On May 27, the company issued a recall for dozens of products.
