Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2009

NEWS & MESSENGER

By Kipp Hanley

Published: April 6, 2009

A STATE INSPECTOR in Prince William County recently found at least 425
rodent droppings and a dead mouse at the Merchant Plaza Safeway in
Lake Ridge, Virginia.

A March 12 Virginia Department of Food Safety and Security inspection
also noted 50 droppings in the stock room and confirmed issues
concerning employee practices, dirty equipment and out-of-date and
unsealed infant formula.

According to the report, the formula was voluntarily tossed by Safeway
management. It also stated that the store had contractors plug holes
on the exterior wall opposite side of the bread aisle where many of
the mouse droppings were discovered.

The inspector also found a hole in the support post at ground level
which led into the supermarket at the corner of Old Bridge Road and
the Prince William Parkway.

The report concludes with the investigator “exchanging contacting
information” with the store’s Consumer Protection manager, but doesn’t
elaborate as to a followup investigation.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has also launched an
investigation into the sanitary conditions at the store.
OSHA spokeswoman Jennifer Wester said a customer complaint sparked the
investigation. The VDACS investigation began after a representative of
the

Prince William County’s Environmental Health Department suggested the
state agency look into the matter after receiving several complaints
on the store.

Wester said the OHSA probe could be handled either in person or over
the phone, but details of the investigation are not released per OSHA
policy.

Some employees told the News & Messenger that rodents have chewed
through packaged items like bags of candy and bread and boxes of pasta
at the store.

One employee, who asked not to be identified, claims to have seen a
rat run by a soda machine adjacent to the store.

The employee also said customers have asked, “What is wrong with this
box?” In response, the employee said, “I would say maybe it was
damaged in shipping because I don’t want to admit about the rats.”

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.

A March 12 Virginia Department of Food Safety and Security inspection
also noted 50 droppings in the stock room and confirmed issues
concerning employee practices, dirty equipment and out-of-date and
unsealed infant formula.

According to the report, the formula was voluntarily tossed by Safeway
management. It also stated that the store had contractors plug holes
on the exterior wall opposite side of the bread aisle where many of
the mouse droppings were discovered.

The inspector also found a hole in the support post at ground level
which led into the supermarket at the corner of Old Bridge Road and
the Prince William Parkway.

The report concludes with the investigator “exchanging contacting
information” with the store’s Consumer Protection manager, but doesn’t
elaborate as to a followup investigation.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has also launched an
investigation into the sanitary conditions at the store.
OSHA spokeswoman Jennifer Wester said a customer complaint sparked the
investigation. The VDACS investigation began after a representative of
the

Prince William County’s Environmental Health Department suggested the
state agency look into the matter after receiving several complaints
on the store.

Wester said the OHSA probe could be handled either in person or over
the phone, but details of the investigation are not released per OSHA
policy.

Some employees told the News & Messenger that rodents have chewed
through packaged items like bags of candy and bread and boxes of pasta
at the store.

One employee, who asked not to be identified, claims to have seen a
rat run by a soda machine adjacent to the store.

The employee also said customers have asked, “What is wrong with this
box?” In response, the employee said, “I would say maybe it was
damaged in shipping because I don’t want to admit about the rats.”

[Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.]

http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/state_inspection_confirms_roden
ts_at_safeway/33256/