Health Inspectors Find Dead Mice At Colts Stadium

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Health inspectors have repeatedly cited a food contractor at Lucas Oil Stadium for critical food safety violations, including mouse droppings and dead mice in kitchen areas.

Ed Culver of the Marion County Health Department said inspections at the stadium resulted in 42 citations and $3,900 in fines. Health inspectors found mice droppings in storage rooms, in kitchens and in an oven. Inspectors also found dead mice and numerous live ones in a kitchen area.

"Mice can carry food-borne illness like salmonella," Culver said. "It's not a good idea to have mice in your food stand."

Centerplate, the food service company at the Indianapolis Colts stadium, said it has put mouse traps around kitchen areas and has hired an exterminator. Centerplate executive vice president George Wooten said any violation is serious, and the company will make sure there is no rodent infestation.

Top executives of the Stamford, Conn.-based company arrived at the stadium Thursday and said it would have 15 of its own food safety inspectors working there during the Colts game Sunday against the New England Patriots.