Grocery department at Bay Area Target partially closed due to rat infestation

Bay Area shoppers will have to get their food elsewhere after a Target store in San Jose had its grocery section closed due to a rat infestation.

The shop near North Capitol Avenue and McKee Road was shut down by health inspectors after rodent droppings and opened bags of food were found in the store’s warehouse.

Records show the store was ordered to close the food sections on Friday, May 29 due to “rodent droppings and chewed food packages found in on shelves throughout the food warehouse,” according to the Santa Clara County Environmental health report.

“The premises of each food facility must be maintained free of vermin. A facility cannot operate if there is a vermin infestation that leads to contamination of food contact surfaces, packaging, utensils, food equipment, or adulteration of food,” it added. 

Santa Clara Environmental health officials told The California Post that the inspection was spurred following a complaint from the public.

The store is still closed as of this report on Tuesday. The county health report noted that the food sections of the store would remain closed until the matter has been resolved, which includes passing another inspection by health officials.

“The facility has not requested a follow-up inspection. Facilities can re-open immediately following an inspection that confirms the problem was resolved,” officials said.

“The safety and well-being of our guests and team members is Target’s highest priority, and we’ve temporarily stopped selling food items at our San Jose Capitol store to allow for cleaning and sanitizing, following reports of pest activity in this location,” Target said in a statement to NBC Bay Area.

“Additionally, we’re working with the local health department to ensure the concern is addressed quickly.”

The statement added, “we apologize for any inconvenience and invite our guests to visit our nearby store at 1750 Story Rd for food needs. We appreciate the efforts of our team and partners to resolve this situation for our guests.”

The closure of the grocery department comes following one at another Bay Area Target store just last week. On May 28, the Target store in San Jose on Blossom Hill Road was shut down also for a rodent problem, per the county records. It has since reopened following another inspection, per the report.

The California Post reached out to Target for further comment.

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