Overview

• The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health identified a 'major' vermin violation at Erewhon’s Santa Monica location in an April 8 inspection report.
• The violation, which included the discovery of cockroaches in the tonic bar, prompted Erewhon to voluntarily close the bar for sanitation measures.
• Erewhon issued a public apology, acknowledging the lapse in standards and emphasizing its commitment to cleanliness and food safety.
• The grocery chain has stated that it expects to reopen the tonic bar later on the same day after completing sanitation and receiving health department clearance.
• This incident highlights ongoing challenges in food safety for premium retailers, drawing comparisons to past health-related controversies in the Los Angeles food scene.