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More Than 800 Flies Enough To Shutter NW Side Grocery

CHICAGO (STMW) - City inspectors found more than 800 flying insects in the produce areas of a Northwest Side grocery on Tuesday, and it was enough to order the store closed.

Inspectors from the Dumpster Task Force visited Cermak's Produce at 4800 W. Diversey Ave. to follow up on a complaint and had no problem finding problems. They closed the store due to an infestation of flying insects and related sanitary problems, a release from the city's Dept. of Streets & Sanitation said.

More than 800 flying insects were spotted, with many on and above produce areas where roots, onions, corn and other vegetables were on display.

Large concentrations of flies were seen crawling on walls in the meat display area and flies were also found in the bakery on top of a loaf of French bread and on a doughnut in a display case, the release said.

More than 140 mice droppings were also found in an isolated, non-food area in the back of the store.

The store was closed for the critical violations of inadequate pest control and failure to protect food from contamination.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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