Droppings, Dead Mouse, Insects Found at African Supermarket & Liquors

Chicago, Illinois - A West Side supermarket has been closed by city health inspectors following the discovery of more than 300 mice droppings and numerous other pest control and maintenance problems, including a dead, decaying mouse found in a glue trap.

Inspectors from Mayor Daley's Dumpster Task Force visited African Supermarket & Liquors at 4156 W. Madison St. to follow up on complaints, which were swiftly verified, according to a release from the Department of Streets & Sanitation.

Inspectors found more than 300 mice droppings in some critical areas including on top of cans of nacho cheese, next to a display for almond/coconut candy bars, and underneath the cashier's elevated platform, along with a glue trap containing a decaying dead mouse.

All were located adjacent to the food prep area where sandwiches and nachos were made, the release said. The sink in that area had no hot water, which is necessary to maintain sanitation. Inspectors also found numerous holes and openings on the premises that provided mice with places to nest.

Flying insects and roaches were also spotted on the premises. Finally, the task force found an overflowing dumpster and a grease disposal container that was encrusted in used cooking grease, the release said.

"The conditions that our inspectors found were horrendous and management is going to have to completely overhaul their operations to have a chance at reopening," Deputy Commissioner Josie Cruz, who heads Streets & Sanitation's Bureau of Rodent Control, said in the release. "To get back in business they will have to come up with new plans for pest control and housekeeping, repair all holes and openings, thoroughly clean up their establishment inside and out, then request and pass a tough follow up reinsertion."

African Supermarket & Liquors was closed after being issued critical citations for inadequate pest control and failing to restore hot water service to their food prep sink despite being warned to do so by city inspectors last April. They also received serious citations for their overflowing dumpster and grease-encrusted grease disposal container. Plus they'll have to repair those holes and openings.