COLUMBUS, Ohio — A southwest Columbus Kroger temporarily closed on Wednesday after health inspectors found mice and mice droppings throughout the store and in some of the food.
Columbus Public Health said they found the issues during a standard inspection at the Kroger located at 1585 Georgesville Square Drive.
A report from the health agency shows health inspectors found a total of three live mice, urine and droppings in two aisles and in the deli and bakery. They also found seven dead mice throughout the store.
The report states inspectors found one live mouse in the aisle near the chips and two live mice in the bread storage area in a back room.
One of the dead mice was found underneath a bread slicer in the bakery area and two dead mice were found inside a cardboard trap station box in the deli area. Three dead mice were found in aisles 13 and 16. The final dead mouse was found in a back hallway in front of a bread storage area.
Mice droppings, urine and droppings found at Georgesville Kroger
Mice droppings were found on surfaces throughout the bakery, such as a table under a bread slicer, the floor, a cake decoration stand holder and other areas.
Inspectors noticed droppings and urine in aisles 13 and 16 on multiple bags of food and underneath shelves. They also found multiple bags of chips and popcorn gnawed open and droppings found inside the bags.
Other violations included cold foods being held at too high of temperatures, such as a dairy cooler showing a temperature of 50 degrees.
The health agency went to the store on Thursday and found all infested areas were cleaned. A pest company was hired to service the store twice a week, according to CPH.
Inspectors will perform follow up inspections within one to three weeks.
Kroger released a statement saying it takes the health and safety of customers and its employees seriously.
"We implemented strict sanitation protocols, completed a thorough cleaning, and will maintain ongoing inspections. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their patience," a company spokesperson said.
CPH said the store is not facing any fines.