Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile5 entries
2022
West Memphis rodent infestation and food-safety case
An FDA investigation found extensive rodent activity and unsanitary conditions at the company's West Memphis, Arkansas, distribution center. Products were recalled and roughly 400 stores were temporarily closed. Family Dollar later pleaded guilty to federal charges and agreed to approximately $41.675 million in fines and forfeiture, described in the reference material as the largest federal penalty for food-safety violations at that time.
2022
Food-desert criticism
Family Dollar and other dollar-store chains have been criticized by researchers and community groups who argue that dense dollar-store expansion can undermine local grocery stores and leave some communities with limited access to fresh, healthy food. Various jurisdictions have considered or adopted restrictions affecting new dollar-store openings.
2022
Rodent infestation at Arkansas distribution center
Federal authorities found live and dead rodents at a Family Dollar distribution facility in Arkansas. The incident led to recalls, a guilty plea, and a reported $41.7 million penalty described in supplied coverage as the largest criminal food-safety fine at that time.
2022
Family Dollar recalls products potentially contaminated by rodent infestation
Recall announced
Family Dollar products, including food, cosmetics and over-the-counter medicine, were identified as potentially contaminated with Salmonella following unsanitary conditions and a rodent infestation at a distribution facility. The article reports that stores were shut down and products were being recalled.
Company response
Recall — Family Dollar
Food (human and animal) cosmetics, and over-the-counter medicine were all listed as potentially being contaminated with Salmonella.
Source excerpt
Food (human and animal) cosmetics, and over-the-counter medicine were all listed as potentially being contaminated with Salmonella.
According to KCRG, Family Dollar stores shut down over 400 shops across the country after the Food and Drug Administration reported potentially contaminated products from "unsanitary conditions, including a rodent infestation."
2008
Store-manager overtime litigation
In Morgan v. Family Dollar Stores, store managers alleged that they had been improperly classified as exempt from overtime requirements despite working long hours and performing substantial manual and operational duties. A jury verdict and subsequent judgment resulted in more than $35 million in overtime wages and liquidated damages; the Supreme Court declined to hear the company's appeal in 2009.