Vermin-challenged Loblaws staying shut

In a statement released by Loblaws head office, the Dupont and Christie store will remain closed until tomorrow. Toronto Public Health officials said that talks of re-inspecting the store will take place with Loblaws early tomorrow morning. "It would make no sense to a do a re-inspection if they are not ready, so today they won’t be re-opening," said Jim Chan, the manager of Toronto Public Health’s food safety program.

Toronto Public Health officials searched the Loblaws store near Dupont and Christie Streets Monday after receiving a complaint about mouse droppings spotted in the store. Inspectors “observed a heavy infestation of mice in the store and evidence of a rat infestation,” prompting them to close the store Monday night, said Jim Chan, the manager of Toronto Public Health’s food safety program. Inspectors could not speculate on the number of rodents found in the store but reported that mice flocked toward the bakery and the area where takeout food is prepared, while rats were found in the garbage.

Loblaws Statement:

Loblaw Companies Limited continues to keep its Loblaws store located at 650 Dupont Street, Toronto, closed following a pest control inspection by Toronto Public Health.

This isolated incident at this store was due to a combination of items, including recent store construction, cold weather and the breakdown of the pest control processes at the store.

The store is currently undergoing an intense sanitization process. Our food safety team is on-site and assessing all products for any potential compromise to packaging. Any products at risk are being removed. Additionally, pest control processes and procedures are being thoroughly reviewed and enhanced. We are working closely with Toronto Public Health to ensure compliance with regulations.

According to Toronto Public Health the risk of food borne illness from this type of situation is low. Undamaged pre-packaged and canned food purchased from our store would not be a health concern. However, if a package appears damaged, do not consume.

We encourage any of our customers who have any health concerns about the products they have purchased at this location, please contact http://www.toronto.ca/health or 416-338-7600.

Additional questions about products and our refund policy can be directed to Loblaw customer service at 1-800-296-2332 or customer-service(at)loblaw.ca.

The Dupont Loblaws store was last inspected in September 2008 and received a green pass notice. No food safety violations were noted at that time. Public Health has stated that the store has an excellent record of food safety and the last 10 inspections have been in compliance.

Loblaw Companies is committed to providing our customers with a clean and safe store environment and offering products that are produced, manufactured and sourced responsibly. We regret any inconvenience or concern that this may have caused our valued customers and we would like to assure you that we are taking swift action to resolve the situation.

Toronto Public Health Release:

Toronto Public Health closed the Loblaw store at 650 Dupont Street near Christie last evening at approximately 10 p.m. for food safety violations.

Inspectors were called to the store after a customer complained about seeing a mouse in the store. Upon inspection, there was clear evidence of a heavy rodent infestation within the store and outside, and a lack of adequate pest control.

Toronto Public Health posted a red Closed sign on the front of the store, and provided direction on cleanup of the building. The store will be re-inspected once the cleanup is complete, and if all violations have been corrected, the store can re-open. Loblaw staff have been working overnight to address the violations.

The risk of food borne illness from this situation is low. Undamaged pre-packaged and canned food from this store would not be a health concern. However, if packages appear damaged, or if unpackaged food looks like it has come into contact with rodents, do not consume.

Toronto Public Health recommends that the public follow standard food safety practices, and wash all fruits and vegetables before consuming.

In addition, always wash your hands before and after preparing or serving food.

This Loblaw store was last inspected in September of 2008, and received a green pass notice. No food safety violations were noted at that time.

The store has had an excellent record of food safety and the last 10 inspections have been in compliance.

Results of all Toronto restaurant inspections are posted online at www.toronto.ca/health.