Coral Springs Convenience Store Faces Food Delivery Halt Due to Rodent Issues
A Coral Springs convenience store faced a halt in new food deliveries last week because of rodent issues. This occurred three weeks after inspectors shut down the coffee and soda stations.
Timothy O’Neil, an inspector with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, stated, “If evidence of pest infestation is observed on the next scheduled inspection, a Stop Sale Order of all foods will be issued.” This warning came after Wednesday’s inspection of Citgo Food Mart located at 10380 Royal Palm Rd.
The inspection report noted that warnings from a May 14 inspection were ignored at the store, which is owned by Stores Management, LLC. The officers of the company are Alloudin Bhullar and Nawshad Chowdhury.
In May, Inspector O’Neil discovered over 100 fresh rodent droppings under the frozen soda machine, soda machine, coffee bar, and throughout the processing room. Droppings were also found under the three-compartment sink and throughout the room.
Rodent droppings were also observed in cabinets under the coffee bar, near single-use lids, and in boxes of single-use cups near the ceiling in the backroom.
As a result, Stop Use Orders were placed on open food processing areas including the hot foods case, hot food rollers, three-compartment sink, frozen soda dispenser, coffee bar, soda machine, and cold coffee machine.
The inspection included a notice stating that further evidence of pest infestation would result in a Stop Use Order on all receiving areas, preventing the establishment from receiving additional food items.
On Wednesday, the situation worsened as O’Neil found a dead rodent in a trap under the three-compartment sink and fresh rodent droppings in cabinets under various fountain drink dispensers and the coffee bar.
Consequently, the Citgo Food Mart at 10380 Royal Palm Blvd. in Coral Springs failed its June 3 inspection. It will remain unable to serve food or drinks until the pest issue is resolved.
David J. Neal has covered a variety of topics for the Miami Herald since 1989, including food safety, fraud, and other breaking news.