Rodent Problems Halt Food Deliveries at Coral Springs Store

Last week, a Coral Springs convenience store faced a halt in new food deliveries. The discovery of rodent droppings and a dead rodent led to this significant disruption.

Three weeks prior, the store had been instructed to shut down its coffee and soda stations due to pest issues. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspector Timothy O’Neil warned: ‘If evidence of pest infestation is observed on the next scheduled inspection, a Stop Sale Order of all foods will be issued.’

The Citgo Food Mart, located at 10380 Royal Palm Rd., failed to heed warnings from a May 14 inspection. The store, owned by Stores Management, LLC, had officers Alloudin Bhullar and Nawshad Chowdhury associated with its management.

During the May inspection, O’Neil documented over 100 fresh rodent droppings. These were found under the frozen soda machine and throughout various parts of the store, including the coffee bar and processing room.

Rodent activity was noted in cabinets under the coffee bar and within boxes of single-use cups stored near the ceiling in the backroom.

Following the infestation findings, Stop Use Orders affected several areas: open food processing, hot foods case, hot food rollers, three-compartment sink, frozen soda dispenser, coffee bar, soda machine, and cold coffee machine.

The store received a stern warning: ‘If evidence of pest infestation is observed on the next inspection, a Stop Use Order will be issued on all receiving areas of the establishment and the establishment will no longer be allowed to receive additional food items.’

On June 3, the situation worsened when O’Neil found a dead rodent in a trap under the three-compartment sink in the backroom and noted fresh droppings in cabinets under fountain drink dispensers and the coffee bar.

Unable to pass its inspection, the Citgo Food Mart must address its pest issues before serving food or drinks again.