Cupertino’s Whole Foods has been cleared to reopen after passing two recent health inspections, five months after it closed due to a rodent infestation in April.
Whole Foods has undergone maintenance to address the health concerns along with other improvements throughout the store.
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Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health inspectors first flagged the Whole Foods, located at 20955 Steven Creek Blvd., during an inspection in late March, prompting the closure of the deli and bakery. At the time, inspectors noted rodent droppings in several areas in the deli section, including the preparation and equipment storage areas. They also saw cockroaches in the bakery area at “all life stages” near the dishwasher and two dead cockroaches behind a wire rack holding dishes.
Then in early April, inspectors returned and reported fresh rodent droppings in the back kitchen “along the walls and under equipment,” leading them to close the store until there was no more evidence of rodent infestation.
On September 9 and 10, the county health department conducted two inspections and observed no evidence of rodent infestation, clearing the store for reopening.
According to the inspection report, the store trimmed trees that were touching the building, installed door seals, and fixed structural issues – including gaps under the women’s restroom sinks and in the men’s restroom wall – to prevent rodents from entering the store. They also cleaned and sanitized store surfaces.
Along with the health-based improvements, the store also made other general changes, which pushed back its timeline for reopening.
“We’ve taken this opportunity to conduct extensive building maintenance, improve the parking lot, and refresh finishes and furniture throughout the store and exterior. These additional improvements, while extending our timeline, will ensure we can provide the best possible shopping experience when we reopen,” read a statement from Whole Foods shared by spokesperson Nathan Cimbala.
According to Department of Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood, “Whole Foods staff worked closely” with the health department to take corrective actions, and while no further re-inspections are planned, the county will continue to monitor the Whole Foods with unannounced inspections.
Underwood says the Whole Foods closing is part of a larger trend throughout the county, which is seeing an uptick in closures related to vermin.
Whole Foods did not provide a date that the store will officially reopen to the public.
Stephanie Lam contributed reporting.
