Live Mouse in Food Storage Shuts Down D.C. Harris Teeter

A Washington, D.C. Harris Teeter is temporarily closed.

An inspection on Dec. 8 by the D.C. Department of Health revealed less than satisfying conditions in the grocery store.

According to the report, a live mouse was found in a storage container in the pizza prep area and an additional three mice were found in a trap. There were rodent feces on food equipment and on the floor in the same area as well as the bakery area where bread products are stored.

More issues observed in the store include:

• Unclean shelving and vents in retail refrigeration area
• At least one type of cold food item held at improper temperature
• Milk and deli meat with past sell by dates held in retail area
• No paper towels at handsink in the sushi/deli prep area
• Stained and scratched cutting boards in sushi prep area
• Loose rear emergency exit door

Since Harris Teeter, 1201 1st Street NE, exhibited more than six violations that could not be fixed immediately, it was automatically shut down. It will reopen when the problems are fixed and the store can pass an inspection.

Harris Teeter Spokesperson Danna Jones emailed the Washington City Paper saying that this was an isolated incident and they are doing “everything possible to prevent future incidents from occurring.”

For the full report visit the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.

Image via Shutterstock

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