Chip Cookies in Brentwood has reopened after temporarily being shut down by Contra Costa County health inspectors following the discovery of an active rodent infestation.
The cookie shop, located at 2505 Sand Creek Road, Suite 128, was ordered closed on July 2 after inspectors responded to a complaint and found widespread evidence of rats throughout the facility. The business has since been reinspected by Contra Costa Environmental Health and allowed to resume operations after correcting the violations. According to the inspection report, health officials found rat droppings in numerous locations throughout the business, including beneath food preparation equipment, near brown sugar storage, inside the office, under the three-compartment sink, beneath a refrigerator, and under hot-holding cabinets. Inspectors also documented multiple holes and gaps in the ceilings and walls that they believed were allowing rodents to enter the building.
The person in charge told inspectors that a rat had been seen running through the kitchen hallway on June 26 before disappearing into the rear storage area. The operator also said employees had been sweeping up rodent droppings nightly and was unsure whether the business had regular pest control service. Because inspectors determined the facility had an active rodent infestation, Chip Cookies was ordered to close immediately. Health officials required the business to eliminate the infestation, remove all rodent droppings, thoroughly clean and sanitize the facility, discard any contaminated food, seal rodent entry points, and obtain service from a licensed pest control company before reopening. Following a reinspection, Contra Costa Environmental Health determined the necessary corrections had been made and authorized the business to reopen.
Those weren’t chocolate chips!