WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors documented 34 violations at six food establishments during inspections conducted Nov. 5, 2026, including malfunctioning water systems at an Oxford convenience store, refrigeration problems at an Exton grocery store and multiple sanitation and food-handling deficiencies at a Chester Springs restaurant.
The Chester County Health Department’s findings included 14 violations at House of India in Upper Uwchlan Township and 10 at Limestone Fuels in Oxford. Inspectors also cited Applebee’s in West Goshen Township, Trader Joe’s in Exton, Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen in Malvern and Wawa in East Whiteland Township.
The inspections identified problems involving water availability, food storage, refrigeration temperatures, plumbing, pest control and facility maintenance. Three of the six inspections were follow-up visits.
At Limestone Fuels, 301 Limestone Road in Oxford, inspectors found that the facility’s ultraviolet water disinfection system was not functioning.
The report stated that a representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Safe Drinking Water program confirmed the facility’s water supply had been deactivated Dec. 19, 2025.
Inspectors directed the business to contact a water treatment company to repair the disinfection system and provide water-quality analyses for total coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The inspection also identified several plumbing deficiencies. The employee restroom’s toilet and handwashing sink were not working, while a urinal in the public restroom would not flush.
The public restroom’s handwashing sink lacked water at the required minimum temperature of 85 degrees, and the facility’s water heater was not producing sufficient hot water for its sinks.
Inspectors also found partially consumed employee food, spoiled milk, eggs, cheese and other items stored on multiple shelves inside a walk-in refrigerator. The business was directed to remove the items and establish a designated, labeled shelf for employee food.
Other findings included unsanitary restroom fixtures, disorganized storage areas and construction debris near the dumpster, the latter identified as a repeat violation.
Inspectors observed bedding and clothing inside the food facility, which they described as indicating use of the premises as living or sleeping quarters. The business was instructed to remove those materials because living in a food facility is prohibited.
The report also documented a container of Raid pesticide in a back storage room, which inspectors identified as a restricted-use pesticide being handled by a noncertified applicator. The facility was directed to remove it.
At House of India, 570 Simpson Drive in Chester Springs, a follow-up inspection identified 14 violations involving food handling, sanitation, equipment maintenance and employee handwashing facilities.
Inspectors found that neither the hot nor cold water faucets worked at a kitchen handwashing sink across from the stoves. A bar handwashing sink also lacked cold running water.
The restaurant was directed to correct the water deficiencies immediately and within 24 hours.
Paper towels were missing from two bar handwashing sinks, and a kitchen paper towel dispenser had a damaged lid. Inspectors ordered those deficiencies corrected within 24 hours.
Ready-to-eat foods requiring temperature control and stored for more than 24 hours were not properly date-marked in refrigerators and squeeze bottles. The facility was instructed to correct the problem immediately.
Inspectors also documented the reuse of disposable five-gallon food buckets for other prepared foods, a practice prohibited under the applicable food code. The restaurant was directed to replace them with approved containers within 48 hours.
A leaking walk-in freezer drain or compressor had caused substantial ice accumulation on shelving and the freezer floor. Repairs were ordered within seven days.
Additional violations involved unlabeled dry ingredients and chemical spray bottles, inadequate food safety knowledge demonstrated by the person in charge, and cleaning deficiencies affecting refrigerator shelving, the freezer floor and kitchen ceiling vents.
Inspectors also ordered the restaurant to replace cloth towels covering a naan preparation surface with linen, install a door sweep to prevent pest entry, replace a broken mop hanger and remove or properly store unused equipment, including a broken ice machine, steam table and panini grills.
At Trader Joe’s, 125 West Lincoln Highway in Exton, a follow-up inspection identified refrigerated foods held at 50 degrees, exceeding the required maximum of 41 degrees for foods requiring time and temperature control.
Store employees removed the affected products from shelves for disposal during the inspection.
Inspectors directed the store to repair or adjust the refrigeration unit to maintain the required temperature. The affected foods were located on the top three shelves in the front row of section MT07-1.
At Wawa, 5 Matthews Road in Malvern, inspectors documented three violations involving sanitation and pest control.
Fruit fly activity was observed at the self-service soda dispensing station. The facility was directed to continue pest control treatments, maintain clean equipment and surfaces, and ensure the station’s floor drain could be accessed for cleaning and proper operation.
Inspectors also found a wall-mounted insect control device positioned above lids at the self-service cappuccino station, creating a potential contamination risk.
The store was directed to remove or relocate the device and clean floors in the smoothie preparation and self-service soda areas.
At Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1107 West Chester Pike in West Goshen Township, a follow-up inspection identified three violations.
Inspectors directed the restaurant to repair leaks beneath the bar’s three-compartment sink, label squeeze bottles containing food ingredients and clean bar floors to eliminate standing water.
At Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen, 309 Lancaster Ave. in Malvern, inspectors documented three violations involving cleaning and equipment maintenance.
A shake machine required cleaning, which began during the inspection after the machine was emptied. Inspectors also directed employees to clean a table near the fryer, including its wheels.
The restaurant was instructed to reinstall a detached metal edge strip near the mop sink.
A self-service soda dispensing machine had reportedly been broken for more than six months. Inspectors ordered the business to repair or remove the equipment within 30 days.
The Health Department also reported the following 17 facilities in compliance during inspections conducted Nov. 5:
- Aramark at Stetson Middle School: 1060 Wilmington Pike, West Chester.
- Birmingham Friends Meeting: 1245 Birmingham Road, West Chester.
- Chartwells at Owen J. Roberts Middle School: 881 Ridge Road, Pottstown.
- Devon Elementary School: 400 S. Fairfield Road, Devon.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: 607 E. Market St., West Chester.
- First United Church of Christ: 145 Chestnut St., Spring City.
- Gadaleto’s Seafood Market: 1193 Wilmington Pike, West Chester.
- Goodness Bowls: 5 Paoli Plaza, Paoli.
- Kilwins: 1 N. Church St., West Chester.
- Latinomex II: 90 W. State St., Avondale.
- Lemon Tree: 520 Simpson Drive, Chester Springs.
- Playa Bowls: 22 S. High St., Unit 6, West Chester.
- Pokelicious and Bubble Tea: 350 Scarlett Road, Kennett Square.
- Rivertown Taps: 226 Bridge St., Phoenixville.
- Starbucks Coffee #22487: 503 Commons Drive, Oxford.
- Temple United Methodist Church: 1390 Unionville Road, Pottstown.
- Two Stones Pub: 49 Jenners Village Center, West Grove.
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspection findings reflect conditions observed at a specific time and may not represent an establishment’s overall or long-term food safety practices.
Residents who observe potentially unsanitary conditions can submit a confidential environmental health complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843. The department investigates all complaints.
Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead contact the Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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