MEMPHIS, Tenn. – $1.1 million. That’s how much Family Dollar will now have to pay the State of Tennessee.
This comes after a rat infestation was found at a warehouse in West Memphis, Arkansas. FOX13 Investigates first brought you this story back in February of 2022, when the FDA reported hundreds of rats inside the warehouse.
“That’s unacceptable, honestly,” said Joseph Freeman.
The FDA reported hundreds of rats, dead and alive, inside the warehouse. Inspectors also found rodent droppings that were too numerous to count.
This discovery led to the closure of the warehouse and caused more than 400 stores across several states including three in the Mid-South to temporarily close down. Yet the inspection report showed Family Dollar knew about the infestation for over a year before the feds shut it down.
“I’ve been using stuff in that store for years. I didn’t even know it was rat infested,” said Stevie Moore.
Just last year, Family Dollar pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor for its unsanitary, rat-infested conditions. They will now have to pay a record fine of $41.6 million.
Tennessee’s Attorney General announced Family Dollar agreed to pay the state more than $1.1 million as part of the settlement. He released this statement that reads in part: “No matter the family budget, whether at a discount shop or not, every Tennessean deserves confidence in the food they buy. This settlement holds Family Dollar accountable and protects Tennessee families from being sold harmful or mislabeled food.”
“The food industry is crazy. I feel more and more people are finding out things about insane and unsafe our food is. it’s just sad,” said Anna Stratton.
The U.S. Department of Justice said this is the largest monetary criminal penalty in a food safety case.
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
