WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited multiple restaurants, grocery retailers and food service operations for critical food safety violations during inspections conducted July 23, including improper food temperatures, cross-contamination risks, inadequate handwashing, sanitation failures and expired food products, according to the Chester County Health Department. Several facilities also passed inspection without violations.
The inspections represent a snapshot of conditions observed on the day of each visit and are not necessarily indicative of a facility’s long-term compliance, the Health Department noted.
Among the inspections, Hampton Inn Great Valley in Frazer received one of the lengthiest violation reports.
Inspectors observed raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods, refrigerated foods held above the required 41 degrees, a high-temperature dishwasher that failed to achieve sanitizing temperatures, the absence of sanitizer test strips, a leaking dishwasher, improper food storage, unlabeled food containers, and the use of a restricted-use pesticide by someone who was not a certified applicator. Officials also directed the facility to submit plans for installing a required three-compartment sink after noting the existing warewashing setup remained inadequate.
Kiko Sushi & Ramen (BYOB) in Phoenixville was cited for numerous violations involving food handling and sanitation.
Inspectors documented employees handling ready-to-eat sushi with bare hands, inadequate handwashing, raw meats stored above ready-to-eat foods, improper date marking, food held at unsafe temperatures, fish thawed in vacuum-sealed packaging, sanitizer deficiencies, missing thermometers, and a lack of soap and paper towels at handwashing sinks. The inspection also found employees lacked sufficient food safety knowledge and the facility failed to maintain Certified Food Manager records.
Origami Asian Fusion in Exton also received an extensive list of violations during a follow-up inspection.
Inspectors cited failures to wash hands between tasks, cross-contamination risks from raw seafood and eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods, multiple refrigerated foods held above safe temperatures, improper cooling procedures, inadequate sanitizing, chemical storage concerns, insect control devices with contamination potential, and an exterior door that was propped open. The report also cited food stored directly on floors, reuse of single-use containers for food storage and widespread date-marking deficiencies.
Target’s West Goshen store was cited after inspectors found more than 50 packages of expired lunch meat in refrigerated display cases along with two severely dented cans of powdered infant formula. Additional violations involved cleaning deficiencies, the absence of a Chester County Certified Food Manager and a leaking handwashing sink in a produce walk-in cooler.
Sangam Indian Food Co. in Malvern was cited for improperly setting up its three-compartment sink, storing raw eggs above ready-to-eat sauces, failing to provide a probe thermometer, missing paper towels at a hand sink, storing items on the floor and maintaining unlabeled food containers. Inspectors also observed dented food cans and food stored in opened metal cans.
Southern Spice in Exton, undergoing a change of ownership inspection, was instructed to begin maintaining cooling logs, raise shelving in its walk-in cooler and install an additional handwashing sink after inspectors observed an employee who had not washed their hands in the kitchen. Plans for the plumbing changes must be submitted to the department for approval.
Primo Hoagies of Exton was cited during a follow-up inspection after refrigerated foods measured between 43 and 45 degrees and inspectors noted ceiling tiles near a walk-in cooler that required replacement.
Margarita’s in Toughkenamon received two follow-up violations after inspectors found mole and salsa below the required hot-holding temperature and noted the absence of a food thermometer. The foods were reheated during the inspection.
The Health Department reported the following establishments were in compliance following their inspections:
- Blessing House Food Co-op in Honey Brook,
- Cocina La Hildalguense in Kennett Square,
- Lunha in Kennett Square,
- Mama Alba’s Diner in Phoenixville,
- McDonald’s in Coatesville,
- Octorara Volleyball Concessions in Atglen,
- Pennsylvania Distilling Company in Malvern,
- Phoenixville Country Club,
- Pomod’Oro Italian Ristorante in Downingtown,
- Spaz Beverage Company in West Chester,
- Suburban Brewing Company in Honey Brook,
- The Flying Deutschman in Media,
- Two Fish and Five Loaves Community Café in West Chester, and
- West Chester Food Cooperative.
The Chester County Health Department reminds residents that restaurant inspections reflect conditions observed at the time of inspection. Anyone wishing to report suspected unsanitary conditions at a food establishment may submit an Environmental Health Complaint through the department or call 610-344-6225 if they became ill after eating at a food establishment.
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