Rural Farm supply store -- state inspectors take all food from its shelves (Friday) after complaint

as reported by local TV / South Bend Tribune newspaper (Friday September 24)

The food at Rural King Supply has been pulled off the shelves. Inspectors from the Michigan Department of Agriculture discovered a rodent problem at Rural King Supply on Michigan 51 in Niles.

Not only that, it was selling food without a license. It all started with a complaint.  The store usually provides freshly-popped popcorn at the door. But, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture, someone complained because employees were touching the popcorn with their bare hands. And when inspectors went in to investigate, they found something else too.
Inspectors from the Michigan Department of Agriculture investigated a complaint the store wasn't handling its popcorn properly. They discovered not only was the store selling food without a license, it also had "an active rodent infestation."
A spokesperson from the Department of Ag says there were mice inside the store. Inspectors seized all the infested food — it was mostly around the pet food — and they are working with the business to correct the problem. For now, the food shelves in the store are completely bare.
Robin Makepeace noticed that, but says it doesn't bother her.  "I think it is pretty much expected when you handle as much farm stuff as you do. Most farms have problems with rodents too. They like all the stuff they keep in there," says Makepeace.
Rural King store manager, Rocco Rigsby says stores like this tend to have problems with mice. And he says, they are working to get a license as soon as possible so they can start selling food again.  "Five years ago when we opened the store we didn't need the type of licensing that are currently required and we were not aware of the changes that were made to it. So we are working in full compliance with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Health to get this problem remedied as we speak," says Rigsby.
For now, though, customers say, they will continue to shop at Rural King.   "This is one of my favorite stores. I come out there and it is like a kid in a candy store," says shopper Ron Folks.
The department of Agriculture says it's working with the store on how to rodent- proof the location. It's also educating staff on proper food handling.