PIGGLY WIGGLY IN PIKEVILLE ORDERED CLOSED IMMEDIATELY DUE TO SEVERE RODENT INFESTATION AND HEALTH HAZARDS
The Piggly Wiggly located at 3508 Main Street in Pikeville was officially ordered to close its doors on September 1, 2026, following an emergency inspection by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
State food safety officials issued the immediate closure notice after discovering conditions posing an imminent health hazard to the public, highlighted by extensive evidence of a rodent infestation throughout the facility.
According to the Department of Agriculture report:
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Widespread Contamination: Inspectors found chewed food products and rodent droppings across numerous aisles, including Aisles 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, as well as the backstock area.
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Damaged Goods: Damaged packaging and chew marks were observed on a wide variety of items, such as chips, egg noodles, nuts, candy, pudding, dog food, snacks, and single-service items.
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Pests on Premises: A dead mouse was discovered on a glue trap near the front door and window, and inspectors noted an excessive population of flies, alongside limited rodent droppings in the deli corner.
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Structural Issues: An exterior wall hole was identified in the backstock area near single-service items, which also showed evidence of rodent activity.
The order mandates that all food establishment operations cease immediately. The store will remain closed until it passes a satisfactory re-inspection by the Department of Agriculture and settles all outstanding license fees and late charges. State officials will conduct a follow-up inspection within 30 days, though the store can request an earlier review.
