Health inspectors shut down a Whole Foods Market in Cupertino, CA, on earlier this month after finding widespread vermin violations, including live rodents in multiple parts of the store.
The affected location, at 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd., had rodent droppings throughout the store and live rodents spotted in eight locations, prompting the suspension of its operating permit, according to the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. This was the store’s third closure in two weeks, with no reopening date announced, the agency reported to NBC Bay Area on April 23.
The county’s health department said permit suspensions are issued when violations pose “an imminent threat to health and safety” and cannot be immediately corrected. Such suspensions require stores to remain closed until all violations are corrected.
Prior closures affected the store’s deli and bakery sections on March 26 and April 8 because of similar vermin contamination, according to inspection reports shared with NBC Bay Area. The departments briefly reopened after the first closure but were shut down again after failing follow-up inspections.
Whole Foods responded to the closures, telling NBC Bay Area, “Our Cupertino location is temporarily closed while we complete necessary maintenance and repairs. We will reopen once the repairs are completed thoroughly to support our high standards for food safety and service.”
Dangers of vermin in food storage areas
The closure raises larger concerns about vermin risks in food retail environments. Rodents and insects in these settings are a serious public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that rodents can carry pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria and Hantavirus, which contaminate food and surfaces.
According to the CDC, a single rodent can produce up to 25,000 droppings annually, each capable of spreading bacteria. In 2023, the agency linked more than 1,200 Salmonella cases to contaminated food environments, with vermin often playing a role.
When pests access food preparation areas or packaging, they can transfer bacteria to products, leading to foodborne illnesses. Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever, and cramps, posing greater risks to children, seniors, and immunocompromised people.
The presence of live rodents in the Cupertino store amplifies these dangers, as they can actively spread pathogens throughout the facility.
Health officials are conducting ongoing inspections to ensure compliance before the store can reopen. Consumers are urged to inspect food packaging for signs of tampering or contamination and report concerns to local health authorities.
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