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Health department investigating salmonella and ongoing rodent problems at local grocery; prepared‑food sections closed
Summary
Health staff reported active environmental swabbing and a salmonella investigation at a food establishment, and said persistent mouse activity has prompted closure of prepared‑food sections (cheese counter, deli, sushi) pending remediation and reinspections.
The Town of Sudbury health department told the board it is investigating a salmonella case tied to a local food establishment and has worked with the state epidemiology and food protection program on environmental swabbing.
The director said the department spent a full day with state teams conducting swabs and that preliminary results were expected soon; whole‑genome sequencing may be used to identify the specific strain. “We actually, spent the whole day basically yesterday with the state EPI and food protection program, doing environmental swabbing of various parts of the facility,” the director reported.
The department also described extensive rodent activity at the same long‑standing grocery site. Inspectors required suspension of prepared‑food areas, including the cheese counter and deli, and the facility has increased exclusion work and pest control (multiple daily visits in some areas). Department staff said the store has cooperated and that reinspections will be required before those sections reopen.
Director noted the store plans a major renovation in 2026 but the department is urging earlier corrective work; no firm timeline for reopening the closed sections was provided.
The department asked the board to ensure public communications are coordinated if the investigation warrants notices; preliminary swab results and any further testing plans will be shared with the board when available.
