12-05-2025
Rodents might get food sales shut down at a Fort Lauderdale Family Dollar
The rodent problem at a Fort Lauderdale Family Dollar worsened to the point that a state inspector has threatened to shut down all food sales if it's not taken care of by the next inspection.
The store already can't receive new food after Tuesday's re-inspection.
In other Miami metropolitan area problems for the Dollar Tree-owned chain, employees who use the restroom at two North Miami Family Dollar stores can't properly wash their hands.
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Stores such as Family Dollar get inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture. While restaurant inspectors from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation shut down a restaurant for a failed inspection, Ag Department inspectors most powerful punishments are Stop-Use Orders on areas and equipment and Stop Sale Orders on products.
The Fort Lauderdale store in question already got smacked with a Stop-Use Order. Things got worse on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Rodent dung found on pet food shelves at a Fort Lauderdale Family Dollar
Inspector Timothy O'Neil slapped a Stop-Use Order on the pet food aisle of the Fort Lauderdale store at 951 Sunrise Blvd. on April 21 after seeing rodent droppings on the shelves. The inspection stated evidence of rodents during the re-inspection would get the receiving areas shut down.
As it was written, so did it happen.
'Rodent droppings were found on bucket lids stored on a shelf near the back door,' Tuesday's re-inspection stated. 'Rodent droppings were found on the floor next to the mop sink.'
The Stop-Use Order on the pet food aisle remained and was joined by Stop-Use Orders on the receiving area and backroom storage.
'If evidence of pest infestation is observed on the next scheduled inspection, a Stop Sale Order of all food items will be issued,' the inspection promised.
Also, this store doesn't have a valid 2025 2025 food permit.
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Two North Miami stores, 13400 NE Third Ct. and 1450 NE 123rd St., failed state inspections on Thursday and Friday because there was 'No hot water available' in the employee restroom handwash sinks.
Each has 14 days from the inspection to get that problem handled.
