WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited multiple food establishments Thursday for violations involving food safety practices, sanitation failures, equipment problems and inadequate warewashing procedures, including several issues requiring immediate corrective action.
Among the more serious violations, inspectors at Southeastern Veterans Center Food in Spring City found rice cooling improperly at room temperature, a malfunctioning high-temperature dishwasher that failed to reach sanitizing temperatures, and insufficient hot water at a three-compartment sink in the main kitchen.
Inspectors directed staff to use alternative sanitization procedures until repairs are completed. Paper towel dispensers at several handwashing stations were also empty during the inspection.
At Elk Ridge School – Food in Oxford, inspectors found sanitizer levels in a three-bay warewashing sink measured at 0 parts per million instead of the required 200 ppm. The sanitizer line was adjusted during the inspection and compliant levels were later observed.
Inspectors also reported a significant water leak beneath the facility’s mechanical dishwasher.
Francesco’s Grill in Pottstown was cited for multiple violations, including missing date labels on prepared foods, unlabeled containers, dirty squeeze bottles and the absence of a required handwashing sink in the food preparation and warewashing area.
Additional violations at the restaurant included slow-draining plumbing, damaged flooring, rusty shelving and extensive cleaning deficiencies in food preparation and warewashing areas.
At ACME Markets #721/Phoenixville in Phoenixville, inspectors cited mold-like debris inside a seafood department ice machine, missing deli slicer cleaning logs, improperly stored chemicals and sanitation concerns throughout deli and warehouse areas.
The inspection also identified standing water, damaged restroom fixtures, debris around the trash compactor and cleaning deficiencies in multiple food preparation and storage areas.
Inspectors at Dollar Tree #08337 in Kennett Square cited employee food storage violations, a malfunctioning restroom hot water knob and ice accumulation inside a walk-in freezer.
Yori’s Church Street Bakery in West Chester received violations related to unapproved renovations, unlabeled baked goods, employee beverages in food preparation areas and sanitation issues involving floors, drains and food-contact surfaces.
The Chester County Health Department noted inspection reports represent conditions observed at the time of inspection and may not reflect long-term operational conditions at a facility.
The following establishments were listed in compliance following May 14 inspections:
- Aramark @ Pickering Valley Elementary School in Chester Springs
- Bear Bubble Tea in Oxford
- Capt’n Chucky’s Crab Cake Co. in Chester Springs
- DK Thorndale / Caln in Thorndale
- El Limon / WC Borough in West Chester
- Farmer & Co. in Unionville
- Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square in Kennett Square
- Landhope Food Truck / CCHD #1376 in Kennett Square
- Residence Inn by Marriott in Berwyn
- Rita’s Water Ice / CCHD #1070 in Oxford
- Starbucks #58245 in Chester Springs
- T-Swirl Crepe in Phoenixville
- The Barrel by Brothers Kershner in Avondale
- Wawa #278 / West Goshen in West Chester
The Chester County Health Department encourages residents to report unsanitary conditions through its Environmental Health Complaint system.
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