Countdown yesterday did not answer a host of questions about the rat problem at its Dunedin South store, which remained open as a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) food safety investigation began.
However, the company confirmed a photo of a rat in the deli section supplied to the Otago Daily Times was taken at the supermarket in late November.
A spokesman said the products on the shelves in the photo had been thrown away and the shelves cleaned before restocking.
A staff member, who did not want to be named, said there had been some "awkward" conversations since the ODT story about the rat infestation.
"Staff are glad somebody has said something.
"We just want something done. We don't need rats in the supermarket or any of that sort of carry on."
Another staff member who spoke to the ODT earlier this week said they had warned management about the issue months ago.
There were dozens of photos and videos documenting the infestation, they said.
They alleged management decided not to go ahead with fumigating the supermarket because they were not prepared to close it for an extended period.
A spokesman said the company’s pest control programme had significantly reduced the problem since the November photo was taken.
The company was "absolutely committed" to food safety across all of its 194 stores as well as its distribution and production facilities, he said.
It was experienced in managing the risk of pests and assured customers no food affected by pests would be put on or left on shelves.
There were comprehensive pest management plans in place in all of the stores, including in South Dunedin.
It worked closely with specialist pest control contractors to address issues as they arose, and contractors worked proactively to prevent pests emerging in the first place, he said.
The ODT was told the pest control company used at the store advised management to take a series of proactive steps, including fumigation.
The pest control company declined to comment when contacted.
Woolworths said it had confidence in its pest management processes and would fully co-operate with the MPI investigation.
Asked what sanctions the supermarket could face and the timeframe and scope of the investigation, an MPI spokesman said the ministry could not comment while the investigation was ongoing.
First Union organiser Angus Wilson said the situation was serious and needed to be prioritised.
If it worsened, the union would use health and safety legislation to help keep the workers safe, he said.
"There’s a certain level of frustration among staff that it has got to this point. We don't want this to get out of hand."
Staff were "rattled" by coming into contact with rats and rat droppings, he said.
There were several reports yesterday on social media of customers seeing and reporting rats in the supermarket over the past few weeks.
Predator Free Dunedin spokeswoman Jacinta Steeds did not believe there had been a rat population explosion in Dunedin.
The organisation had not received any other calls from around Dunedin, complaining of rats.
"We haven't been noticing anything unusual or different from what we usually expect from rodents.
"There’s potential that there may be some more rodents around because of the mild winter and the warmer weather we had last year, but there hasn't been a big population increase.
"Rodents are just attracted to warm dry areas with a food source, so it’s not surprising that they're at Countdown.
"I guess it’s just down to that place and the management practices they have."
- Additional reporting John Lewis
