Tara Murray
Woolworths has apologised to customers after rodent droppings were found on products in its Sunshine Marketplace store.
A customer raised concerns on social media in a local community group, posting photos of droppings on two minute noodles on January 8.
The customer said that they had also told the store manager.
Other posters on that post and others commented that it wasn’t the first time it had occurred at that store.
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed the incident.
The spokesperson said this was the first time store managers had heard about rodent droppings on products.
“We hold ourselves to the highest standards in store hygiene, so we’re really disappointed to have missed the mark at our Sunshine Marketplace supermarket on this occasion,” the spokesperson said.
“As soon as we became aware of the issue, we conducted a thorough clean of the affected aisle to return it to our usual high standards. We also took the precautionary step of disposing the stock in the affected aisle.
“We engaged pest control services to inspect the store and will take the necessary action to ensure this doesn’t happen again. “
Any customer who purchased the affected products, Fantastic Noodles (85g Beef and 70g Chicken varieties) on January 8 can return them for a full refund.
Sunshine Marketplace centre manager Anna Hickling said they had been made aware of some concerns and had been in contact with Woolworths.
“It is our retailers’ responsibility to ensure their standards are in line with food safety regulations and that their premises are compliant,” she said.
“We are working with Woolworths to ensure the store maintains strict standards of cleanliness and safety at all times.
“Sunshine Marketplace has a comprehensive pest control management program in place and we will undertake necessary measures, as advised, to ensure the centre continues to be safe for all of our customers, retailers and the wider community.”
