Woolworths New Zealand has faced a financial penalty for its failure to maintain pest control standards.
After several months of making headlines with high profile rodent problems in its supermarkets, Woolworths has been fined $33,000 over the infestation at its South Dunedin store.
Rats were first spotted at the store in late 2023 when a photo of a rat among the refrigerated items went viral on social media.
In February 2024 the supermarket was closed for almost three weeks while nests were located and rat numbers brought under control. Woolworths New Zealand said that a comprehensive pest management plan was in place, but it had increased the frequency of cleaning, added more bait stations and implemented daily pest management service visits.
After admitting it had breached the Food Act, charges were finally brought against Woolworths in March this year.
