BESSEMER, Ala. (WIAT) — A Dollar General distribution center in Bessemer will be temporarily closed for at least two weeks due to a possible pest infestation.
The closure of the warehouse located on 4101 Lakeshore Pkwy on Monday comes after several workers voiced concerns about rodents reportedly being spotted inside the facility.
A man under the name “Collegeville GQ” on Facebook posted three separate videos of rats in food inventory and dead on the ground allegedly during his employment at the facility. The videos were uploaded on Feb. 23 and 25.
A statement addressing details about the warehouse’s closure and rodent claims was released by Dollar General to CBS 42 Monday evening:
“At Dollar General, the health and safety of our employees is of the highest priority. Although we believe preventative and responsive pest control programs and efforts have been appropriate thus far at our Distribution Center, we are taking additional and proactive steps to accelerate our progress,” the statement reads. “These efforts further demonstrate our commitment to ensure a healthy, safe workplace. All employees will be paid during this temporary closure, and we look forward to resuming normal operations at the Bessemer facility by mid-August.”
A member of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) reached out to CBS 42 Tuesday with a statement regarding an investigation of the premises.
ADAI Food Safety Division is in agreement with current actions taken by the Dollar General compliance team. The primary goal of the ADAI Food Safety Division is to conduct inspections to insure the delivery of safe food and food products to the consumers of Alabama. Our current inspection on the Dollar General Bessemer location, indicates that the warehouse administration has suspended operations to facilitate a “total clean” effort. The facility has taken steps to rectify any/all circumstances that may present potential for product adulteration. The ADAI team is on-site to ensure the cleanup efforts are done in an manner to assure products will not enter the stream of commerce until final inspections have been conducted and confirmation that products are safe for distribution.
Andy Tipton, ADAI Food Safety Division Director