Indy Walmart closed for rodents given all-clear to sell food, health dept. says

INDIANAPOLIS — A local Walmart whose food license was suspended after inspectors found significant rodent activity throughout the store was given the all-clear to begin selling food again in all areas.

The Marion County Public Health Department returned to the Walmart located at 10735 Pendleton Pike on Mar. 29 for a fourth inspection where the store was given an all-clear to begin selling food in all areas.

The initial inspection on Mar. 22 came after a consumer made a complaint to the department claiming to have found a mouse inside a bag of hot dog buns.

A violation was issued for the Walmart and MCPHD suspended the grocery store’s food license.

Inspectors visited the location after the complaint and found evidence of significant rodent activity in the grocery, pet food and receiving area sections. According to the health department, they found rodent droppings and torn packaging.

During the first re-inspection on Mar. 25 inspectors noted that "not enough progress" had been made in bringing the violations into compliance.

Then, during a third inspection on Mar. 27, the store was approved to begin selling groceries. The deli and bakery had remained closed the entire time.

A citation for $500 was also issued to the store for the first violation. It is unclear if they have received additional citations.

Walmart released the following statement in response to the incident:

To look up the local inspection reports for other Marion County food establishments, click here.

You can report a complaint to the health department, by clicking here.