UPDATE: Rodents Shut KFC in Palm Springs

KFC is temporarily closing after complaints about rodent droppings

PALM SPRINGS — KFC, 725 S. Palm Canyon Drive, was temporarily closed Wednesday, Oct. 5 due to a rodent infestation, according to the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.

The official reason for the closure was: “Rodent infestation. An inspector visited us in response to a complaint that someone thought they saw rodent droppings in their coleslaw. The inspector saw several excrements, including under a preparation counter, the grease tanks and a drinks machine. There were flies inside, among other violations, and the inspector found bits of food and grease on the floors.”

KFC received the following grade: 86/B, fail.

A re-inspection was conducted around 1:30 p.m. Friday to verify that the facility had eliminated all rodent activity within the facility, according to a newly released report from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.

“At the time of the re-inspection, no evidence of rodent and/or insect activity was observed at this facility,” the report said.

The inspector observed three pest control reports from Western Pest Control dated October 5, 6 and 7 stating that no rodent and/or insect activity was found at this facility.

The report stated that the debris found on the ground during the pest control treatment was from dead insects (elder bugs).

The restaurant is allowed to reopen and the “Closed Food Facility” signs have been removed.

The facility is open.

It’s the second time in less than a month that the Riverside County Department of Environmental Protection has closed a restaurant in the Coachella Valley.

In September, Upper Crust Pizza, 67555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, was temporarily closed due to a roach infestation.

The inspector found a live roach on a cooler near a prepared pizza, two more on the floor next to a food prep area, and several dead roaches on the floor and behind equipment, according to the health report. Among other violations, several food containers were at unsafe temperatures in a cooler that didn’t keep cold, and appliances, walls and floors had to be cleaned.

Since 1963, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health has awarded grades to all food processing facilities that handle open food. Food establishments such as restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens and bars are inspected unannounced throughout the year and receive a score after each inspection. The grade that an institution receives must be posted in a publicly visible place, usually near the entrance door or register.

A food company that handles open food receives a grade at the end of an inspection. The outcome of the inspection constitutes the grade. There are only three possible grades that a facility can receive from an inspection. Unlike the grades you received in school, an “A” grade is the only passing grade an institution can achieve. “B” and “C” grades, also known as “downgrades,” mean that the facility has failed to meet minimum health standards and is required to correct the violations and be re-inspected to an “A” grade.