WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County Health Department prohibited food preparation at an Avondale market until handwashing facilities are repaired and reinspected, following a Nov. 12 inspection that also identified food temperature violations, improper storage and labeling deficiencies. Two West Chester restaurants received additional citations for food safety and sanitation violations during inspections conducted the same day.
Fresco’s Produce Market, 95 Pennsylvania Ave. in Avondale, was cited after inspectors measured hot water below 85 degrees Fahrenheit at a kitchen handwashing sink. The department ordered food preparation suspended until repairs are completed and a follow-up inspection confirms the sink operates properly.
Inspectors also found raw meat stored above ready-to-eat foods in a walk-in refrigerator, creating a potential cross-contamination hazard. The facility was directed to relocate the products immediately.
Temperature violations included cooked beef held at 45 degrees in a walk-in refrigerator and an opened container of mayonnaise requiring refrigeration left at room temperature. Both products were discarded during the inspection.
Inspectors additionally found hot food cooling in containers deeper than four inches, a method that can prevent food from reaching safe temperatures quickly enough. Employees transferred the food into smaller containers during the inspection.
Other violations included missing date markings on rice and prepared fruit, inadequate labeling of packaged foods offered for self-service, a leaking handwashing sink, a malfunctioning employee restroom toilet and water-stained ceiling tiles.
The department also directed the market to remove cloths used to cover tortillas, clean a cappuccino machine, repair or remove a damaged freezer and remove residential cooking appliances from the commercial kitchen.
In West Chester, Alberto’s Cafe Inc., operating as Teca R at 36-38 E. Gay St., received multiple violations during a follow-up inspection.
Inspectors found tomato sauce prepared Nov. 10 had not cooled to the required 41 degrees within six hours. The sauce measured 48 and 51 degrees and was discarded.
The restaurant was also cited for cooling tomato sauce in large stockpots rather than shallow containers, which facilitate faster temperature reduction.
Additional violations involved a severely dented can intended for use or sale, rusted shelving in walk-in refrigerators, cracked food containers and a broken walk-in cooler door-closing mechanism.
Inspectors found a soda gun holster draining directly into an ice bin and beverage tubing contacting ice intended for customers. The affected bar was not being used pending repairs.
Food residue was also observed on an upstairs ice machine and soda guns. Those items were cleaned during the inspection, while ice from a basement machine was taken out of use pending replacement of rusted components.
The department additionally cited the restaurant for failing to clearly identify menu items covered by its advisory concerning raw or undercooked foods. An employee who completed approved food safety training was directed to apply for county certification within one week.
Other maintenance violations included broken or missing floor tiles, an exterior kitchen door that did not close properly and excessive ice accumulation on a walk-in freezer condenser.
At Manje Caribbean Cuisine, 237 E. Gay St. in West Chester, inspectors identified improper raw meat storage, missing food labels and sanitation deficiencies.
Raw beef was stored above raw fish in a cooking station, while raw ground chicken was stored above raw ground beef in a walk-in freezer. Both arrangements were corrected during the inspection to reduce cross-contamination risks.
Inspectors also found ready-to-eat foods without required date markings and containers lacking identification labels. Those violations were corrected on-site.
Other findings included a leaking handwashing sink, a broken handle on a hot-holding unit, dust accumulation on ceiling tiles and an air vent, and dirt and debris on refrigeration equipment.
The restaurant was directed to repair the damaged hot-holding equipment within 30 days and address the remaining maintenance and cleaning deficiencies.
Brewing Love, 145 W. Gay St. in West Chester, was listed as in compliance in the department’s Nov. 12 inspection records.
The Health Department cautions that inspection findings represent conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect an establishment’s overall sanitation history.
Residents can report suspected unsanitary conditions through the county’s confidential Environmental Health Complaint system at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead call the Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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