The U.S. Department of Justice sued Minneapolis-based Gold Star Distribution Inc. and owner Bassam Abu Samrah on Sept. 11, seeking to restrict the wholesaler’s operations over alleged warehouse sanitation violations.

Filed in U.S. District Court for Minnesota, the civil lawsuit seeks to prohibit Gold Star from receiving, storing or distributing food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics at its current or any future location until it satisfies Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. The government also seeks investigation costs.

An FDA inspection conducted Nov. 17-Dec. 18, 2025 documented nine live rodents, 17 dead rodents, eight live birds and one dead bird, along with droppings, gnawed packaging and ceiling leaks, according to the complaint.

Gold Star told regulators it had improved cleaning procedures, trained staff and hired an outside expert, while considering renovations or relocation. The FDA deemed those responses inadequate and alleged contaminated products remained at the warehouse when the lawsuit was filed.

The inspection preceded Gold Star’s Dec. 26, 2025, recall of nearly 2,000 products. The recall notice listed 54 customer locations, primarily in Minnesota, along with one each in Fargo, ND and Indianapolis, IN.

The recall covered food, pet food, dietary supplements, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics held at the warehouse. Products shipped directly to stores without passing through the facility, including frozen and refrigerated items, were excluded. The announcement warned that conditions at the warehouse created a risk of contamination from animal waste and harmful microorganisms, including potential Salmonella contamination.

No illnesses had been reported when the recall was announced. Gold Star instructed customers to destroy affected products rather than return them, provide documentation of destruction and request refunds.

Federal scrutiny of the warehouse predates the recall. In an October 2018 warning letter, the FDA cited extensive rodent activity, live birds and sanitation deficiencies at the same facility. The agency warned that failure to correct the violations could result in regulatory action, including product seizures or an injunction.