Woolworths NZ pleads guilty over Dunedin supermarket rat infestation

Woolworths New Zealand pleaded guilty to failing to address a rat infestation at its Dunedin South supermarket.

By Tess Brunton of RNZ

Woolworths New Zealand has pleaded guilty to failing to properly deal with a rat infestation at its Dunedin South supermarket.

The company appeared at the Dunedin District Court before Judge David Robinson today, charged with breaching the Food Act.

The supermarket was closed for almost three weeks in February last year to eliminate the pests, after they were discovered in late 2023.

More than 20 rats were caught during the closure, and old nests were found in the walls.

The charges were brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries after an investigation.

Counsel for MPI said the company faced a penalty of about $50,000-$55,000.

At the time the charge was laid, New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said Woolworths had failed to ensure a significant rodent infestation was promptly identified and escalated in accordance with its food control plan.

Woolworths NZ is due to be sentenced in March next year.

- RNZ