WEST CHESTER, PA — Health inspectors cited multiple food safety and sanitation violations at several Chester County food establishments during inspections conducted Thursday, according to reports released by the Chester County Health Department.
The inspections, which officials emphasize represent only a snapshot of conditions at the time they are conducted, documented issues ranging from improper food storage and temperature control to cleaning lapses and equipment concerns at restaurants and social clubs across the county.
At Great Valley Grill & Pizza LLC on Lancaster Avenue in Malvern, inspectors recorded a lengthy list of violations, including ready-to-eat deli meats and pulled pork lacking required date markings, food contact surfaces with dried debris, and a buildup of biofilm inside the ice machine. Inspectors also observed a food employee washing hands in a food preparation sink rather than a designated handwashing sink, as well as raw chicken stored above cooked chicken in a prep cooler, creating a risk of cross-contamination.
Additional violations at the Malvern restaurant included improperly labeled squeeze bottles, in-use tongs stored on hood system pipes, and foods held at 45 degrees instead of the required 41 degrees or below. A house-made tzatziki sauce was found past its one-week use-by date and was discarded during the inspection. Inspectors also noted that food contact surfaces were being stored on wooden racks, which are not considered easily cleanable.
Inspectors at the Italian American Citizens League on Ways Lane in Kennett Square cited dirty soda gun nozzles and holders at the bar, which were cleaned during the inspection. The report also noted the absence of a required consumer advisory on the menu warning customers about the risks of consuming undercooked foods. Problems were documented with the bar’s three-bay sink setup and a dishwasher that was not delivering detectable chlorine sanitizer during the rinse cycle, prompting inspectors to advise that the machine not be used until corrected.
In the kitchen, inspectors observed salmon thawing in vacuum-sealed packaging, a practice that can pose a food safety risk if oxygen is not allowed to enter the package. The salmon was discarded. A leaking hot water handle was also noted in the banquet hall women’s restroom.
At Karco, also known as Pennsbury, on East Street Road in Kennett Square, inspectors found that staff lacked sufficient thermometers to properly check food temperatures. Tamales and meats were cooling without temperature monitoring, raising concerns about whether required cooling timelines were being met. Inspectors also observed dishes stacked too high in the sanitizer compartment, preventing full submersion, and noted that at least one kitchen employee must complete a food manager certification course within 60 days.
The Health Department encourages residents who witness unsanitary conditions or believe a food safety issue requires investigation to submit an environmental health complaint. Officials said all complaints are investigated and kept confidential, and anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should contact the department directly by phone at 610-344-6225.
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