Health inspectors found more evidence of mice while revisiting 2 Louisville Kroger stores

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Health inspectors said they found new signs of rodent activity at some Kroger locations in the Louisville area, prompting renewed cleanup orders.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness said it investigated a new complaint at the Goss Avenue Kroger location and just found rodent droppings near the macaroni and cheese and applesauce aisles.

Inspectors issued an order for the location to clean and sanitize the affected shelves.

A June 18 inspection at the store on Goss Avenue showed more droppings were found two days after the store reopened after a rodent infestation. The health department said the rodent droppings were found in the sushi area, on the counter, floor and inside a box of sealed vinegar.

Inspectors said they also found droppings on the shelves in the bread and pasta aisles, and a dead mouse in a trap in the area where marshmallows are stored.

For the La Grange Road location, the health department said mouse droppings were seen in three aisles earlier this week, ordering the store to clean and sanitize the areas. The health department said no products that had been chewed-through were found and pest control continues to visit several times a week. Inspectors will do weekly follow-ups at the store.

At the Holiday Manor location, the health department said a follow-up visit showed no evidence of rodents, but weekly follow-up visits will continue.

Kroger said its continuing to work with the health department to resolve the issues.

The health department said there are a lot of questions about the food inspection process, so it sent out a newsletter answering some common questions:

How many grocery stores do we inspect each year and how often?

Currently, our inspectors have 4,605 active food permits in our system, which includes everything from grocery stores, day care facilities, schools, hotels and mobile food trucks.

Out of those 4,605, there are 947 permits that are considered retail or food service with retail.

Food service within retail includes grocery stores where food is prepared, served and packaged on-site, such as Kroger, Walmart, ValuMarket and Meijer. These stores are inspected twice a year. Some grocery stores do not offer food service, such as Aldi and Target. They serve prepackaged items and are only inspected once a year.

When someone looks at the most recent inspection report for a grocery store and sees they got an A, but then hears inspectors are investigating the store for an issue like a rodent infestation, how is it possible they got an A?

The only part of the grocery store that gets an inspection with a letter grade is the deli/food service area. Our inspectors are most concerned with the area where food is being handled, chopped, cut, cooked and prepared. For most grocery stores, that’s the deli area where ready-to-eat meals are prepared, as well as pasta salads, chicken salads and other types of salads; meats and cheeses are sliced and packaged for sale. This area is a top priority due to its elevated risk of foodborne illnesses spreading if sanitation and safety regulations are not followed.

The rest of the store, which the inspectors classify as retail, does not get a letter grade.

Do we conduct a regular inspection of the retail area of the grocery stores?

Yes, the retail area of a grocery store receives an inspection twice a year. When an inspector conducts a retail inspection, we check for adulterated products and dented cans. We check cooler temperatures. We look to see that food is properly stored, and we look at overall cleanliness.

How many food safety complaints do we investigate each year?

As of July 1, 2024, we have received 958 complaints. It’s important to know that our food safety inspectors conduct routine inspections of grocery stores twice a year. That’s only 2 days out of 365. We rely on the public to let us know if they see unsanitary conditions the other days of the year. We investigate every complaint we receive.

How many of those complaints are related to grocery stores?

One hundred and seventy-two of those complaints were related to a retail/prepackaged facility.

How do you contact food inspectors if you have a complaint?

Anyone can report a complaint to us via Metro311’s website, social media, mobile app or by calling 502-574-5000. They can also share it with us via the Department of Public Health and Wellness social media channels or by calling 502-574-6650.

Previous Coverage:

Inspection reports reveal mouse nests, droppings inside Louisville Kroger stores

Health officials find rodent evidence at another Louisville Kroger store

Search health inspection data for 430 Louisville grocery stores

Louisville's health department investigating complaints of mice at 2nd local Kroger store

Louisville Kroger on Goss Avenue reopens after brief closure to address rodent infestation