Auckland Transport comes under fire over train cancellations, the fourth option that could be added to 111 calls and rodent issues continue to plague Woolworths supermarkets in the latest NZ Herald headlines.
Video / NZ Herald / Getty
Woolworths New Zealand director of stores Jason Stockill said four captures were reported on Monday. The rats were believed to have been caught in the store after the entry and exit sites were sealed during the weekend.
“In order to check any other rodents caught in-store have been captured, we are keeping the store closed for a further 24 hours.
“We thank our customers for their patience and ongoing support. We continue to work alongside MPI and Rentokil, who confirm there is no sign of nesting activity inside the store.
“Our store team work hard every day to maintain our high standards for cleanliness and work closely with pest control services to manage rodent populations that can be found in urban areas.”
Woolworths New Zealand confirmed this photo of a rat, reflected in a mirror in the deli section, was taken at its Countdown Dunedin South supermarket in Andersons Bay Rd in November. The photo was originally supplied to the Otago Daily Times.
A staff member, who did not want to be named, told the Herald they had encountered rats throughout the store for several months, including spotting one running across the chillers.
Stockill confirmed the incident occurred on the evening of February 7.
He said the incident was reported and Rentokil identified some entry points, which were then sealed.
A dead mouse was found the next day, “indicating its pest control programme is working and there have been no sightings since”.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said Woolworths had been advised an independent review of its pest-management processes across its New Zealand operation by AsureQuality would be taking place.
A food safety compliance officer had been sent to Eastgate Countdown today.
“Our investigations into the Christchurch incident are continuing. However, it appears proper procedures were not followed immediately after the mouse was spotted.
“We would expect the food in the deli counter to have been disposed of immediately. People are right to expect good levels of pest management and hygiene in supermarkets.”
Woolworths has been asked for a report on the Eastgate incident and any other recent rodent issues, he said.
“We have the ability to take further action, like we have in Dunedin, where we recommended that the Countdown Dunedin South be shut and remain closed until NZFS and Woolworths are satisfied that there is evidence that the new pest-control measures have worked.”
New Zealand Food Safety would continue to monitor Woolworths’ work to manage both issues, he said.
“There is no evidence to suggest a widespread rodent issue at Countdown Eastgate. People are right to expect good levels of pest management and hygiene in supermarkets.
“We have told Woolworths to take a close look at their pest-control practices and escalation processes.”
The Otago Daily Times broke news of the Dunedin store’s rat infestation in late January, publishing a photo of a rat in the deli section, taken in November, on its front page.
A staff member told the paper management had been warned about the issue months before the publication of the photo, saying there were dozens of photos and videos documenting the infestation.
