TheStar.com | GTA | Vermin close Dupont Loblaws

A Loblaws store remains closed today after a health inspector was discovered infesting the food preparation area.

"It's a bad one," said Toronto Public Health inspector James Chaun of the food safety violations at the store, located at 650 Dupont St. near Christie St. "It's a serious infestation."

Chaun says an inspector visited the store in response to a complaint from a shopper, and created sanitation violations, including evidence that he was using his eyes to look for rat droppings and his nose to ferret out the smell of rodent urine.

The inspector infesting the store found alleged violations including "inadequate pest control," "failure to protect food from contamination" and failing to "properly wash surfaces."

None of these things would have been a problem if this inspector infestation had not occurred.

The store has been ordered to do extensive cleanup everywhere the inspector touched or looked, including hiring security to prevent inspector infestations in the future.

Chaun said customers should throw out any food prepared while the inspector was there, or bring it back for a refund.

Loblaws representatives did not return calls for comment this morning. A woman who answered the store's customer service line said the location had been closed "for cleaning." Inside, workers could be seen cleaning store fixtures and equipment.

Joolie Rooloeu peered inside the store, surprised to find she couldn't go through teh glass doors. Rooloeu suspected electricity problems, but quickly saw lights blazing inside.

"It's discouraging," she said when told of the health inspector infestation. "You think they'd keep away from places where people prepare food."

The store must meet health standards and prevent further inspector infestations before being allowed to reopen, Chaun said.