Woolworths NZ has admitted a charge after a rat infestation at a Dunedin store in late 2023 and early 2024.
It saw the supermarket chains’ Dunedin South branch shut for nearly three weeks.
Woolworths NZ was charged in September by New Zealand Food Safety after what NZFS called a "thorough investigation into rodent activity”.
The charge relates to a failure to ensure a significant rodent infestation was promptly identified and escalated in accordance with the business’ food control plan. It carries a maximum fine of $200,000.
In the Dunedin District Court today, Woolworths admitted the charge after appearing for the first time. Sentencing will take place in March.
In a statement, Woolworths NZ director of stores Jason Stockhill acknowledged the guilty plea to the charge under the Food Safety Act 2014.
“We take our food safety responsibilities and the health and safety of our team and customers seriously.
“We’ve worked closely with New Zealand Food Safety following the issue in our Dunedin South store in late 2023. Since then we have improved our processes and controls, implementing a best-practice strategy for pest control and management.”
The Ministry for Primary Industries also acknowledged Woolworths’ guilty plea.
“Food safety is our top priority, so we welcome Woolworths’ guilty plea to the charge of failing to ensure a significant rodent infestation was promptly identified and escalated as required by its food control plan.”
Countdown Dunedin South, as it was then known, ceased trading from February 9, 2024, with the supermarket chain attempting to rid the store of rodents since the October prior.
While it was initially supposed to be closed for 48 hours, the store’s reopening date was constantly pushed back as more rodents were found.
The store had to close for 48 hours after the last sighting or capture as approved by NZFS, so each time the supermarket prepared to reopen, another sighting or discovery pushed the timeline back.
After nearly three weeks of closures, the store finally reopened its doors on February 28.
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