CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A new round of food safety inspections across Chester County revealed troubling violations this week at a major grocery store and several popular restaurants, with inspectors documenting equipment failures, unsafe temperatures, sanitation lapses, and in one case, water seeping beneath floor tiles in a supermarket bakery.
The Chester County Health Department’s Nov. 20 reports detail a series of infractions that could pose risks to both workers and consumers as establishments head into the busy holiday season.
ACME Markets #703, Upper Uwchlan (Complaint Inspection)
At the Simpson Drive store, inspectors reported water pooling beneath the mechanical dishwasher and seeping up through newly replaced VCT floor tiles in the bakery. When stepped on, the tiles pushed water onto the surface — a sign of underlying leaks that must be repaired within 60 days. Officials warned the area must dry thoroughly before any future tile work and that all leaks must be identified and corrected.
Limoncello Restaurant, West Chester
The popular downtown restaurant faced a long list of violations. Inspectors found in-use knives stored between tables where they could not be properly sanitized, bread positioned beneath dirty hood vents, and food containers placed on the floor or next to hand sinks where they risk contamination.
Temperature problems were also significant. Bruschetta held at 47°F was stored in an improper ice bath, later corrected during the inspection. A downstairs walk-in cooler was operating at 49°F — far above the required 41°F — forcing the removal of all temperature-controlled foods until the unit can be repaired.
Other issues included the use of string, tape, and plastic wrap as makeshift fasteners on equipment; unclean soda machine nozzles; dirty non-food-contact surfaces; and an unlabeled spray bottle, which was addressed on site.
Save More Discount Center, Phoenixville
Inspectors cited the store for lacking a thermometer in an ice cream freezer, failing to provide hot water at an employee restroom sink due to an inoperable hot water tank, and having a cracked ceiling tile. The facility was ordered to repair the hot water system and restore minimum water temperatures of 85°F or higher.
Spence Café, West Chester
Violations at this North High Street restaurant included unlabeled squeeze bottles in a prep-top cooler and foods held at 47°F in a server-area cooler. All affected TCS foods were discarded, and the unit was adjusted but cannot be used until it reaches the proper temperature.
Additional findings included missing date labels on items held over 24 hours, dirty non-food-contact surfaces, wet equipment improperly stacked, and the use of a residential pesticide — Raid — by a non-certified applicator. The pesticide was removed on site.
County health officials said follow-up inspections may occur and that establishments must correct all violations to remain in compliance.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.