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Roxbury Walgreens may face health department hearing after repeated violations, ISD says
The Columbus Avenue Walgreens has been cited for multiple health violations — including frozen foods on the ground and mice, city data shows.
A Roxbury Walgreens location may appear before Boston’s health department after rodent droppings, chewed chip bags, and cockroaches were discovered by health inspectors Monday, city data shows.
The Walgreens, located at 1890 Columbus Ave., has been cited for multiple health violations — including frozen foods on the ground and mice — according to Food Establishment Inspections data.
A spokesperson for Boston’s Inspectional Services Department wrote in an email to Boston.com Friday morning that health officials executed a pre-hearing inspection, where they found “all violations related to rodent infestation” corrected.
The ISD spokesperson further wrote that a final compliance inspection has been scheduled to ensure outstanding violations have been fully resolved, and to ascertain if an administrative hearing or other enforcement actions are needed.
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A Walgreens spokesperson told Boston.com Thursday night that after an inspection Thursday, there will not be a hearing. ISD did not immediately respond to Boston.com’s request to confirm this.
Rodent-related violations at the Walgreens location were also cited on Oct. 29, Oct. 6, April 6, April 3 and March 26, data shows.
“Multiple rodents droppings observed on potato chips/candy and popcorn shelvings,” a comment from an April 3 inspection said.
“We take these matters seriously and are committed to providing a safe, clean environment for our customers and team members. We’ve acted immediately to address the concerns, enhancing our cleaning measures, increasing staffing to maintain standards, and are working closely with the Boston Board of Health,” a Walgreens spokesperson said in a statement to Boston.com Thursday night.
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The Walgreens failed its health inspection in March, but passed in April, despite cited rodent problems, MassLive reported.
It failed its health inspection again in October, data shows.
In October 2024, the company announced it would shutter 1,200 store locations over the next three years, with nine locations in Massachusetts.
Two Walgreens locations closed in Dorchester this year.
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