Introduction
A Kroger grocery store in Louisville’s St. Matthews neighborhood is addressing customer concerns after reports of bed bugs surfaced this week. The store, located at 291 North Hubbards Lane, confirmed the incident originated in an employee breakroom and assured the public that immediate action was taken to resolve the issue.
Key Details
On Monday, Kroger acknowledged reports of bed bugs at the Hubbards Lane location following a tip from a customer to WDRB News. The company stated the incident occurred in the associate breakroom, not the shopping areas. “We immediately initiated additional cleaning and sanitization protocols,” Kroger said in a statement. The company’s contracted pest control partner, Eco-Lab, conducted treatments and confirmed no bedbugs were detected after initial inspections.
Customer Impact and Response
While no customers reported direct encounters with bed bugs, the news sparked concern among shoppers. Kroger emphasized that the breakroom is not accessible to the public and that grocery aisles, checkout lanes, and other customer-facing areas were never implicated in the reports. “The health and safety of our customers and associates is our top priority,” the company added.
Expert Measures and Prevention
Eco-Lab, a professional pest control firm, oversaw the response. Kroger detailed that the breakroom underwent thorough cleaning, sanitization, and targeted treatments. The company also noted ongoing monitoring to ensure no recurrence. “Our pest control partner has confirmed no bedbugs were found post-treatment,” Kroger stated, reassuring customers that the issue was isolated.
Future Steps
Kroger plans to maintain heightened vigilance, including routine inspections and employee education on pest prevention. The company did not specify a timeline for additional measures but emphasized transparency and commitment to resolving the matter swiftly.
Conclusion
While the incident remains under investigation, Kroger’s prompt action has helped ease concerns. For now, shoppers can rest assured that the store’s public areas remain unaffected. The company encourages customers with questions to contact Kroger directly or visit their website for updates.
Stay tuned for further developments as Kroger continues its efforts to ensure a safe shopping environment.