HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services uncovered a disturbing rodent infestation at Uncle Bucks, a food retail establishment located at 1715 E. Young Circle in Hollywood, during a surprise inspection on Wednesday.
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The conditions were so egregious, inspectors slapped the store with multiple violations, stop sale orders on contaminated food, and a stop use order on retail shelving.
Among the most shocking findings: a dead rodent on a glue trap beneath end-cap shelving in the main retail area. It was removed during the inspection — but the presence of a carcass was only the beginning.
Inspectors documented widespread contamination throughout the store, including:
Rodent excreta, rub marks, discoloration, and damaged packaging on an array of food products, including bottled beverages, canned goods, packaged snacks, condiments, and cereal. A Stop Sale Order was immediately issued on these items.
Rodent droppings and smear marks on and under retail shelving, directly on food packages, and along walls.
Rodent activity in the backroom, with droppings found on food storage pallets, in unused restrooms, and in the employee bathroom area.
Heavily soiled reach-in coolers and shelving, layered with dust, food debris, and rodent feces.
Food spillage and rodent waste under shelving units and throughout backroom storage areas.
A Stop Use Order was issued on multiple areas of the store. Inspectors also ordered the business to halt the use of all shelving where food was being displayed.
The inspection report demands that Uncle Bucks clean and sanitize all affected areas and implement a robust pest control program before they can request re-inspection.
If pest evidence is found again during follow-up, the store will face an even more severe restriction: a ban on receiving any additional food products until the infestation is fully eradicated.
Manager Jeff Harper signed the inspection report, acknowledging the severity of the findings.
According to state records, the last inspection at this establishment was nearly two years ago — June 2023.