Inspection Failures Plague Pimental Grocery Store

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New York health inspectors destroyed 14 pounds of Goya Yellow Popcorn found to be infested with moths and chewed residue at Pimental Grocery Store located at 1223 Church Ave. in Ditmas Park last October, marking another failed inspection for this troubled local market.

In the past eight years, inspectors have seized and destroyed nearly 130 pounds of products found in the store, according to public information supplied by the state's Department of Agriculture and Markets.

These critical deficiencies — considered hazardous to a person's health — have led to five failed inspections since 2005.

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In 2005, inspectors destroyed 75 pounds of rice that was infested with beetles, larvae, insect webbings and feces. In 2007, 55 pounds of rice and pasta found to be infested with larvae and insect casings was destroyed during an inspection.

During that inspection, a bag of M&M's candy was also destroyed because it had mouse droppings and gnaw marks on it. In 2010, inspectors destroyed nearly 36 pounds of assorted pasta found to be infested with beetles, larvae and insect casings.

Pimentel was one of 127 businesses we analyzed in Ditmas Patch as part of a statewide effort to map grocery store inspection results. See the full interactive map above.

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In addition to uncovering conditions considered hazardous, inspectors noted more than a dozen general deficiencies in the store during their most recent visit.

Though not considered a health risk, some of the 14 problems found might be troublesome to consumers, including "old appearing" mouse droppings in the rear storage area and basement beverage storage area.

This isn't the first time inspectors found evidence of rodents and insects in the store. In July 2012, as many as 50 mouse droppings were found on the dessert freezer display case, on the chips and pet food shelves in the retail area and in the basement storage area. During that visit, a bag of popcorn was thrown out as it appeared to be gnawed on.

An employee who answered the phone at the store would not comment on the violations and said Pimental's owner was not available to comment.

While the prevalence of vermin in New York City is by no means a surprise – inspectors discovered rodent-defiled food in 162 inspections in Brooklyn in 2012 – the concern over the diseases they carry have lawmakers looking for stricter penalties.

State Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx/Westchester, has introduced a bill in Albany that aims to set up a three-strikes system to close repeat offenders.

“Since 2000, the department has hired additional inspectors and is inspecting supermarkets more frequently,” the bill reads. “But far too many stores are still being allowed to fail four or more inspections before being closed down.”

RELATED: Pols Push to Shutter Vermin-Infested Food Marts

Have you shopped at Pimental Grocery Store? What did you think of the shop's conditions? Sound off in the comments section below.