The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company’s food processing facility at 2400 Josephine Street has been ordered to close following a series of food safety violations. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) took this action on December 13 after a second inspection revealed ongoing health risks, including evidence of rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions.
The facility, which received a consumer alert earlier this month, had been under scrutiny since the initial inspection on December 4. These ranged from rodent droppings on food preparation surfaces to unhygienic practices, such as employees eating in food prep areas. Subsequent reinspection showed some improvement, but high-risk violations prompted the facility’s closure.
Inspectors found multiple high-risk violations during the re-inspection on December 13, 2024:
- Seven 50-pound bags of cheddar cheese with gnaw marks and droppings inside.
- A live mouse behind a walk-in cooler.
- A dead mouse caught on a glue board.
- Droppings scattered across multiple areas of the facility, including near food processing equipment.
Despite efforts to address the infestation—including contracting a new pest control company—inspectors noted that progress was insufficient to eliminate the health risks entirely.
Pittsburgh Popcorn Company co-owner Rob Day stated that the Josephine Street facility operates under separate ownership and is not affiliated with the company’s retail locations.
The entire re-inspection report can be read here.