(La Porte, IN) - An infestation of mice is the reason Kroger in La Porte is still closed.

 

According to the La Porte County Health Department, the store cannot reopen until it’s in compliance with 17 violations found during a health department inspection on Wednesday.

 

Two months ago, Kroger was placed on probation by the health department because of issues like mouse droppings found in various areas of the store on a monthly basis since early last year. Other violations included gaps and holes in walls, providing mice with ways to get inside the building.

 

According to health department records, a pest control firm was hired by Kroger last year. The company had also been placing traps throughout the store and later returning to find dead mice in the traps in areas like the deli.

 

The health department became involved last year in response to complaints from customers taking notice of matters like holes chewed through food packaging. Records show that even a bagel was partially eaten into and the wrapper of a mozzarella cheese ball had been gnawed through. Droppings were also found underneath bags of dog food, packaged candy, and other places.

 

The violations uncovered yesterday also included dirt and food accumulation on floors and droppings on a shelf near boxes of organic cereal, according to health department inspection records.

 

In August, the health department threatened to shut down the store if the customer complaints didn’t stop.  However, the complaints continued and, eventually, led to Kroger being found in violation of its probationary status, resulting in a shutdown order.