Hundreds of rat feces, and other health code violations, found at Centre County business
A state health inspector found eight health code violations at the Zion Mart earlier this month, including about 200 old rodent feces on shelves beneath a self-serve milkshake machine.
The convenience store at 1896 E. College Ave. in Walker Township was found to be out of compliance after the March 13 inspection, but remedied the violations within two days, owner Kiran Grewal said Wednesday.
The inspector also found that time- and temperature-controlled food in a cooler was stored at 58 degrees, rather than 41 degrees or below as required, and that a thermometer to monitor the food was not available, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
Soap was not available at the hand-washing sink in the food preparation area and there was a “heavy build-up” of dust on vents above single-service items, the inspector found.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website lists the business as out of compliance as of Wednesday, but Grewal said she could not schedule a second inspection because all regional offices are closed due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
“Appropriate actions were taken in the same day and — by the following day — our establishment was cleared of any errors presented by the health inspector to ensure the safety of our customers and staff,” Grewal said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 2:05 PM.