A branch of the Lidl supermarket chain in the Brussels municipality of Elsene has been forced to close after health inspectors found evidence that there are rodents present inside the store.
The Federal Food Safety Agency (FAVV) took the decision to order the closure of the supermarket on 10 April. An inspecttion had found evidence of the presence of rodents inside the store that is located on the Graystraat in Elsene.
FAVV’s Hélène Bonte told the Brussels regional news platform Bruzz that "We view this as an immediate and serious danger to consumers and this could lead to the spread of disease”.
The Lidl store has lost its license to sell food and as a result will have to, for the time being at least, remain closed.
"The store can apply for a new licence and could reopen again pending the results of an inspection”, Ms Bonte said.
Steps are being taken
In a reaction Lidl told Bruzz that they plan to take steps to resolve the issues at the store in Elsene and then apply for a new licence so that it can reopen.
Lidl’s Head of Communication Isabelle Colbrandt said that the retailer was planning to carry out a full refurbishment of the store anyway.
"FAVV’s findings have now speeded up these plans. We also plan to carry out additional cleaning at the store. After which, we will submit a new licence application to allow us to reopen”.