S

Following a weekend of speculation on social media regarding rodents, Kroger received an inspection from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Over the weekend, residents were sharing video and photos allegedly taken at Kroger in Tullahoma, located at 1905 N. Jackson St., with mice bunched up in a corner next to a cooler while one scurried across an aisle, as well as remnants of mice droppings. The posts were made to the community forums for Tullahoma and Manchester but were deleted by Monday. However, the concern reached the state inspector’s office prompting a visit.

When it comes to inspections, under the Tennessee Retail Food Safety Act, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), and its Consumer and Industry Services Division is responsible for enforcement of the act, which includes the inspection of foods, drugs, devices and cosmetics which are manufactured, processed, packed, or held for introduction into commerce in the state.

“Our primary goal is to protect the health and economic welfare of our citizens. The Department of Agriculture does not license or inspect restaurants, which are under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Department of Health.”

The News reached out to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and received the following response from an inspector.

“The Kroger on N. Jackson Street was inspected on Friday, January 24, 2025, following a citizen complaint,” a representative with the department said. “No live rodent activity was observed, and food products were unadulterated.”

While the TDA did not violations of live rodents at the grocery store, there were violations which included finding rodent excrement in both the electrical panel of the bakery warmer and along the wall where bakery fixtures are stored beside the bakery prep area. A representative from TDA also stated that while the observations for the report are for the time the inspector was there, Kroger did indicate to TDA that the store had been working with a pest control company.

Shoppers were met with a surprise Monday of signs on the doors informing them that the store was closed off due to remodeling. The store has since reopened as of Wednesday, Feb. 5. 

“We are temporarily closed,” the sign from Kroger management read. “We sincerely regret apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

While the store was closed, those who need to visit Kroger Pharmacy still can via the drive up window to access all of their prescription needs. 

The inspector’s report can be read here.