TEMPLE, Texas — Multiple Central Texans posted videos to Facebook claiming that the McDonald's on South 31st Street in Temple is infested with rodents.
QUESTION
Is there a rat infestation at the South 31st Street McDonald's?
THE SOURCE
Amy Yeager and George Highsmith, Bell County Public Health District
THE ANSWER
Yes, the McDonald's on South 31st Street in Temple is infested with rodents.
WHAT WE FOUND
At least four viral videos were posted to a local Temple Facebook group suggesting the McDonald's on South 31st Street in Temple is infested with rats. The videos garnered tens of thousands of views and hundreds of comments.
"So on March 4th that facility self reported to us that they had a rodent issue," said Amy Yeager of the Bell County Public Health District.
Bell County retail food inspectors initially went to the McDonald's restaurant on Tuesday March 5th. 6 News learned from the Bell County Public Health District that an Emergency Pest Control Company was on site that day. At that time, Tuesday March 5th, McDonald's was allowed to remain open despite the rodent issue and were only accepting drive through orders.
Health inspectors did see indicators of rats.
"We did see fresh rodent droppings," said George Highsmith of the Bell County Public Health District.
Despite the physical evidence of rodents inside the McDonald's, Bell County Officials told 6 News that the food areas inside were safe.
"They're migrating into the kitchen forging for food, looking for food but they're not coming into the kitchen itself," said Highsmith, "There is no evidence of rodent droppings on the food equipment. No rodent urine on the food equipment or anything like that. At this point it does not elevate itself to what's called an imminent health hazard and so at this point it's voluntary closure."
6 News learned from McDonald's on March 6 that the decision had been made by its owner and operator Ed Lutito to close the location until further notice.
Lutito said in a statement to 6 News, "We're committed to enforcing food safety and sanitation practices in our restaurant, which includes pest control treatments and inspection. We take this situation very seriously and are working closely with the Bell County Health District to address any issues as quickly as possible."
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