Supremo Food Market, a popular international grocery store located at 4301 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, was forced to temporarily close its doors on January 19th, 2023. The closure was mandated by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health following a health inspection that uncovered numerous violations, posing immediate health hazards to customers.
The inspection report detailed significant evidence of rodent activity, including mouse droppings found on food shelves in both the produce and meat departments. Inspectors also discovered gnawed food packaging in multiple aisles, further confirming the presence of rodents.
Beyond rodent issues, Supremo Food Market was cited for various sanitation violations. These included loose rodenticide, food debris scattered on floors and shelves, and accumulated dust in the deli and produce preparation areas. The presence of these unsanitary conditions contributed to the severity of the health code violations.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued a Cease Operations Order, requiring Supremo Food Market to halt all operations until the violations were addressed. The order, posted on the store’s front door, stipulated a reinspection fee of $315 and warned of potential arrest and penalties for unauthorized entry before the market is permitted to reopen.
A subsequent reinspection conducted on January 23rd revealed persistent issues, including continued evidence of mouse droppings, a leaking faucet, a burnt light bulb, and a damaged floor tile. Due to these unresolved problems, the Cease Operations Order remained in effect, prolonging the closure of Supremo Food Market. This wasn’t the first time Supremo faced closure. In October 2022, the market temporarily closed due to health code violations related to unsanitary sink areas and expired meat.
This recent closure of Supremo Food Market follows a pattern of similar incidents at other local establishments. In early January 2023, United By Blue, a coffee shop on Walnut Street, temporarily closed due to health code violations involving mice droppings. Similarly, Acme Markets temporarily ceased operations in September 2022 after an inspection revealed rodent activity and unsanitary conditions. These incidents highlight the importance of adherence to health and safety regulations for food establishments in the area. The continued closure of Supremo Food Market underscores the seriousness of the violations and the commitment of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to ensuring the safety of consumers.
