The GW Bookstore received a health code violation this month for selling food products without a license, according to the D.C. Department of Health.

Robert Sudler, program manager for the department, said the bookstore’s license to sell food products expired almost an entire year ago on Dec. 31, 2007. Health department officials notified them of the violation on Dec. 9.

The GW bookstore sells bottled drinks and snack food items, and Sudler said any establishment wishing to sell food products must have a license, “even it if is just to sell a bottle of water.”

The bookstore was given a “closure notice,” but the business remained open — though unable to sell food products until the license was renewed. The store applied for a new license on Dec. 10 and is now re-authorized to sell food products.

Referring to the expired food license, Sudler said, “Someone just must have dropped the ball over there.”

Bookstore representatives did not immediately return calls for comment.