A NETIZEN going by the pseudonym Mucaoguangnian recently tipped off the Southern Metropolis Daily’s WeChat account about a live mouse that was found running around in the steamer of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Luohu District.

A photo provided by the netizen shows that although the steamer was empty, with no food being served, it would be hard to confirm how long the mouse had been inside.

The netizen hoped that the store would strengthen its management to improve its sanitation and that relevant departments would enhance supervision.

People on the Internet took two stances. Some people rationalized that it was normal to see a mouse, given the recent typhoon and rainy days, and said that the steamer could be used again following disinfection. However, most questioned the store’s sanitation, citing the fact that it is a big chain brand.

The store had already been closed, with a notice saying that the store had suspended operation due to interior decoration, when the reporter with the Daily visited Monday. All of the shelves were empty and covered with cloth.

The convenience store was asked to shut down to correct its practices Aug. 7 after a third-party sanitation review suggested that the store did not meet qualification standards, according to the Guiyuan office of the Luohu branch of the Shenzhen Municipal Market Supervision and Regulation Bureau.

A director with the office said that law enforcement staff had gone to the store to investigate the situation. At present, the store has been ordered to make changes following the scandal. The authority will invite the person in charge of the store to report on its progress.

(Wang Jingli)