Responses from companies featured in WRAL News' reports

Responses from companies featured in WRAL News' TV and Web reports on March 23 and March 24, 2009. (Responses from other companies, if available, can be found on the last page of the inspection reports.)
 

Cinnabon
Karen Gailey, company public relations manager

“The Cinnabon bakery at Triangle Town Center Mall in Raleigh has completely resolved the pest control problem as cited in a July 7, 2008 inspection report and has not had any issues with this matter since. The problem occurred when a neighboring tenant moved out but left their space in an unsanitary condition. The pests from the vacant space migrated to the Cinnabon bakery and caused minor problems, which local Cinnabon management solved within days and in partnership with mall management.”
  

El Campo Produce

No response received.

 
IGA Foodliner, Wendell
Jerry Pope, owner

Owner Jerry Pope says he has resolved the contamination issues in the report and that he is working with inspectors to make sure it does not happen again.


Lowes Foods, Millbrook, Raleigh
Debbie Williams, executive assistant to company president

"Unfortunately, all grocery stores are subject to bugs, which is not uncommon. The pest control at our store on Millbrook Rd. is definitely under control. We have utilized both internal resources and two external resources including pest control professionals. We have taken aggressive self-inspection actions involving the store, corporate office and external professionals. We are also on a very aggressive weekly action plan monitored daily."


Mi Ranchito
Bobby Khot, attorney for owner Rosa Camacho Garcia

Khot says Garcia was working to clean up the rodent issue when she was inspected last fall. She is currently suing the landlord of the building for not making repairs that she claims she requested.


The Pound Cake Company
Jan Matthews-Hodges, company president

The Pound Cake Company says that a tractor-trailer delivering ingredients likely caused the pest issue at the facility. The inspectors told the company that pests often travel on the wood pallets that hold ingredients, like sugar. Those pallets used to come into the facility. Now, they keep them outside. The Pound Cake Company never had a pest problem before the September inspection, and it hasn't had a problem since.


Pretzelmaker
Larry Wilburn, vice president, Hallie Cookie Co. Inc., in a letter to the Food and Protection Division (excerpted)

"We, like you, care about cleanliness and sanitary conditions. We also care about being in compliance with all state and local municipalities.

"We were re-inspected after the visit referenced in your letter. I understand that all concerns have been addressed in a satisfactory manner with the exception of replacing countertops, floor tiles and repairing the wall. …

"We have regular pest control treatment and pay more in Triangle than any other location. We have had them do additional services and at the time, things are good. We have told them that if we continue to have problems, we will change companies. Please be aware that there are many vendors that we buy from for the three brands in this location and that sometimes these come in with the boxes. We of course do not want any. I would appreciate whoever inspects us that they realize these things and understand that we want the same things as you. "

Rite Aid, Falls Valley Road, Raleigh

Cheryl Slavinsky, company spokeswoman

"It has always been the policy of Rite Aid not to sell outdated products. We've retrained our associates and we have a new system of checks in our stores."


Tyson Foods
Gary Mickelson, company spokesman

Food safety and quality are essential to the continued success of our Sanford operations. We were in the process of changing pest control companies when the state inspection was conducted last fall. The new company we hired has implemented additional insect prevention measures. We've also increased the frequency of cleanup activities in key areas of the plant to prevent the presence of insects. In addition, we've taken steps to repair certain equipment and parts of the building.

We believe our corrective actions have been beneficial. State inspectors visited the plant again in December 2008 and subsequently reported no insect concerns. In fact, they issued the plan a new Certificate of Free Sale, which enables the facility to continue exporting products.


Wanchese Fish Company
James Fletcher, company spokesman

James Fletcher says the day inspectors arrived at the facility, it was busy. An unexpected load of shrimp arrived and workers scrambled to respond. Fletcher says workers have to move fast to get the shrimp back on ice. He says the company has corrected the bathroom issue and employee habits. A follow-up inspection showed the problems were corrected.