CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County’s latest round of health inspections turned up a mix of maintenance and food-safety concerns at a downtown West Chester café and a high-traffic supermarket in Kennett Square, underscoring ongoing pressure on local operators to stay ahead of code requirements.
On Friday, November 14, inspectors with the Chester County Health Department cited Arianna’s Gourmet Café, 323 E. Gay Street in West Chester, for a series of violations tied largely to food handling, equipment, and basic sanitation practices.
At Arianna’s, inspectors found commercially processed, ready-to-eat items and cut deli cheese held more than 24 hours without required date labels in a prep-top cooler. Those items were either discarded or labeled during the visit. The report also noted that ready-to-eat foods stored beyond a day were not consistently marked with the date they were opened, a key control to prevent serving products past their safe shelf life.
The café was also advised to address several facility and equipment issues. A wood shelf above the stove and oven must be cleaned and sealed or replaced to ensure it is smooth and non-absorbent. The inspector ordered the installation of three drain plugs for the three-compartment sink, as well as new quaternary ammonium sanitizer test strips or a replacement color guide so staff can verify proper chemical concentrations during dishwashing.
Handwashing reminders were missing from restroom sinks in the dining area, and staff were directed to post signs. The walk-in cooler was under repair at the time of inspection, with officials emphasizing it must reliably hold food at or below 41°F before it is put back into full service.
Non-food-contact surfaces — including racks above the stove and oven, fan covers, the microwave interior, cabinets storing cutting boards, and the top of the mechanical dishwasher — were flagged for visible soil and scheduled for more frequent cleaning. Inspectors also removed a can of Raid, a restricted-use pesticide not permitted in food facilities, during the visit.
At Giant Food Store #6105 on Scarlett Road in New Garden, the issues centered more on infrastructure, equipment condition, and cleaning rather than direct food-handling practices.
Inspectors cited multiple walk-in units for damaged doors and gaskets, along with heavy ice buildup. The dairy walk-in’s door metal and gasket were torn, and the bakery walk-in freezer’s gasket required replacement. Ice accumulation above the door of a perishable foods walk-in and on the fans in the bakery walk-in freezer must be removed, with repairs needed to prevent recurrence.
The report also called for more rigorous cleaning in several high-use areas. Floors and shelving in the produce walk-in, floors and walls around the three-bay sink and dishwasher in prepared foods, and surfaces in the chicken walk-in, prep sink, and hand sink were all identified for cleaning to remove accumulated grime.
In the bakery, a leaking dishwasher was found dripping from the bottom left corner when draining, with its discharge pipe not properly positioned over the floor drain. The store was instructed to repair the leak and reposition the pipe so wastewater flows correctly into the drain.
Elsewhere in the prepared foods department, inspectors directed staff to seal gaps around plumbing penetrations at the three-bay sink. The Meat/Seafood Room and other recently renovated areas were cited for missing coving at the floor-wall juncture, a requirement designed to allow thorough cleaning in corners and prevent moisture and debris buildup.
Neither inspection report indicated an immediate closure or imminent health hazard, but both establishments were given clear corrective actions and will be expected to demonstrate compliance in follow-up visits. For consumers, the findings serve as a reminder that even familiar, well-trafficked businesses must continuously maintain equipment, tighten procedures, and document food safety practices to remain in good standing with regulators.
If you observe unsanitary conditions or suspect a situation that warrants further review, you can file an Environmental Health Complaint with the county. All submissions are confidential and receive a full investigation. If you became ill after eating at a food establishment, please call 610-344-6225 rather than using the online form.
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