Would you ever expect your local grocery store to be called the “mouse store” by its employees? What if you found out your fresh yams came with a side of rodents?

This week, the Farm Boy grocery store at Yonge Street and Soudan Avenue in Midtown Toronto was shut down after a failed health inspection. The City of Toronto’s DineSafe program flagged the store for four major health infractions, including two critical ones—bringing business to a screeching halt. But the story gets even more disturbing when you hear what’s happening behind the scenes, directly from the people who work there.

According to two employees who bravely spoke with CityNews on the condition of anonymity (because, let’s face it, nobody wants ‘fired for honesty’ on their resume), this Farm Boy location has become infamous among staff as the “mouse store.” The main culprit? A recurring, months-long rodent invasion that’s turned the store into a mouse playground.

One employee described opening a specific type of yam box, only to have a family of mice leap out. Another claimed that dealing with mouse droppings—and even removing dead mice—had become a routine part of their job description. It’s like an unwelcome side quest in a video game, except the prize is less gold coins and more...biohazards.

The city’s website confirmed the store at 2149 Yonge St. was closed due to failure to protect food from contamination, a critical violation that could put customers’ health at risk. One employee painted a grim picture: “The mice are out and about as soon as the store gets quiet—they completely devour the grocery section at night.” Every week, thousands of dollars’ worth of contaminated food must be thrown away, but according to staff, mistakes happen and some of it still ends up on the shelves.

Efforts to control the infestation have included periodic “blitzes” by third-party pest control companies, with traps everywhere. But employees say it’s just scratching the surface. The problem is so severe, mice have even been spotted frozen in time in fridges and coolers. The city records back up their claims, showing this Farm Boy location has repeatedly failed inspections throughout 2024—for the same persistent pest issues.

One employee summed up the situation perfectly: “It’s like it’s their store now, the mice are everywhere, you can’t step a foot without seeing droppings.” The workers are pleading for a real solution before customers, especially kids, are put at risk. “If a child gets sick, I don’t want that on my conscience,” said one.

In response, Farm Boy issued a statement admitting the seriousness of the issue and promising round-the-clock action. The company says it’s working with building management and pest control pros to eliminate the infestation, and the store will remain closed until everything is up to their “high standards.”

This AI generated newscast about the mouse-infested Farm Boy is a stark reminder: when it comes to food safety, the unexpected can be lurking just beneath the surface. Stay tuned for updates, because nobody wants their groceries with a side of surprise rodents!