A Chinese buffet on Bath Road in Brunswick has been closed since a failed health inspection in late May revealed a serious pest infestation and other health hazards.

Maine Centers for Disease Control health inspectors visited the China Rose Fine Dining and Super Buffet on May 20 after receiving complaints of  foodborne illnesses from customers, according to a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson.

The inspection uncovered 22 violations, 10 of which were considered “critical,” including violations of improper hand washing; unsafe and improperly stored food; dirty utensils and surfaces; and staff eating, drinking or using tobacco around food or equipment, according to state health inspection records.

“At that time, investigators also observed evidence of a rodents on the premises and completed a special investigation related to those findings,” said DHHS press secretary Lindsay Hammes. “Due to the numerous violations and evidence of rodents uncovered during this investigation, the health inspector issued an imminent health hazard (IHH) and the restaurant closed. Rodent mitigation procedure information was shared at that time, as is protocol.”

A sign posted to the door that same day reads, “We need to renovate. We will be closed after today. Please notify us later. Thank you.” The sign was still in the window of the building a 42 Bath Road as of Thursday and the restaurant remains shuttered.

A state health inspection search revealed another failed inspection from 2019, which identified five critical and five non-critical violations. The restaurant passed two other recent inspections in 2019 and 2023.

Xin Yuan Inc. was registered with the Maine Secretary of State’s Office as the owner of the business as of 2019.

Failed health inspections result from more than three critical or more than 10 non-critical violations, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The department requires critical violations, which are more likely to contribute to health hazards, to be corrected within 10 days. Establishments generally have 30 days to correct non-critical violations, according to the DHHS website.

Attempts to contact China Rose through phone and email have been unsuccessful. It is unclear if owners are taking steps to reopen, according to the DHHS.