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Local Chinese Food Warehouse Investigated For Rat Infestation

McKEES ROCKS (KDKA) - A local food warehouse is being investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

First, several violations were found and now, the FDA said not enough corrective action was taken.

The FDA inspected the NYWP Enterprise LLC warehouse between Oct. 15-30 and found a host of violations.

According to the FDA, "An apparent active rodent nest containing multiple rodents was observed in a plastic lined box containing thawing rib meat....Birds were observed flying through the facility and landing and defecating on stored food products. One apparent rodent carcass was observed on the first floor, two apparent rodent carcasses on the second floor."

Although this letter to the company came from the FDA, the Allegheny County Health Department was directly involved, both in inspecting this site and in shutting it down until conditions were improved.

"We did a joint inspection with the FDA way back in October and, yes, we found enough to make us close that warehouse," Dr. Karen Hacker, county health director, told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.

Hacker says food warehouses that supply restaurants are inspected just like restaurants.

She says the McKees Rocks warehouse was shut down briefly but allowed to reopen.

"We did go back and reopened it after they cleaned up. We've also been back again after that to further examine it. They made substantial gains.>>

In a statement to KDKA, NYWP Enterprise says, "Food safety is a top priority . . . . We have corrected all the violations described in the [FDA] letter."

The company also says on December 31 it sent the FDA additional photographs and documentation that all corrections have been made.

"We'll go back again within six months of closure to make sure they're keeping on task," noted Hacker.

List Of Violations:

FDA inspectors found pests in the food plant. An apparent rodent nest was found in a plastic box containing thawing red meat.

Plumbing was not properly installed.

Rodenticides were found near food.

The warehouse failed to take proper precautions to reduce food contamination from chemicals.

The warehouse had inadequate drainage.

They did not properly store equipment and remove litter and waste.

There was inadequate workspace.

Improper storage of single-service items.

Improper lighting fixtures were found over food.

Employees were found using tobacco near food.

The list of violations was posted to the FDA's website on Dec. 24.

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