Arkansas is suing Family Dollar after more than 1,100 dead rodents were found in a distribution facility.
The lawsuit, filed by state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, alleges the retailer, under the parent company Dollar Tree Inc., allowed products from the facility to be sold at stores in Arkansas and several other states in the region despite knowing about the infestation for years.
“In many rural communities in Arkansas, families rely on discount stores like Family Dollar for essential products such as food, medicine, or pet food,” Rutledge said. “Family Dollar has had knowledge of this dangerous and massive rodent infestation for over two years, yet they continued to sell and profit from potentially contaminated goods. Consumers lost money and could have lost their lives.”
JCPENNEY MAKES $8.6 BILLION OFFER TO BUY KOHL’S: REPORT
Rutledge seeks punitive damages, restitution, and civil penalties through the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act with her lawsuit, which was filed in the Pulaski County Circuit Court. Each violation is subject to a fine of up to $10,000.
The Food and Drug Administration sent out a safety alert in March that said 1,100 dead rodents were recovered from the facility following a fumigation in January. The contaminated products consisted of human foods, animal foods, cosmetics, medical devices, and over-the-counter medications for adults and children.
Family Dollar issued a recall in response to the FDA’s inspection and temporarily closed 404 stores, including 85 Arkansas stores, to allow hazardous and contaminated products to be removed from its shelves.
Reports from state and federal health inspectors showed that Family Dollar knew of the rodent infestation since at least January 2020.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Dollar Tree has not yet responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
