WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited food-temperature, sanitation, storage and equipment problems at five establishments during inspections Tuesday, including a follow-up that found improperly chilled food at an Exton restaurant and complaint inspections that identified refrigeration-related issues at businesses in Berwyn and Malvern.
The Chester County Health Department reported violations at California Tortilla in Phoenixville, Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Origami Asian Fusion in Exton, Papa John’s Pizza in Berwyn and Target in East Whiteland Township. The findings represent conditions observed at the time of inspection and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
At Chester Valley Golf Club, inspectors found brewed tea being held at room temperature instead of the required 41 degrees or below and sliced cheese at 47 degrees. Inspectors also found the facility vacuum packaging fresh fish and seafood that were not included among the approved items in its Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan.
The county reported that vacuum-packed seafood was either removed from its packaging or discarded because reduced-oxygen packaging can increase the risk of Clostridium botulinum growth. Inspectors separately found fish thawing in vacuum packaging and directed that packages be opened before thawing.
Food-contact surfaces including soda guns, an ice machine, a can opener blade and deli slicer had food residue, according to the inspection. Other findings included improper utensil storage, expired sanitizer test strips and ready-to-eat foods that were not being used or discarded within seven days.
At Origami Asian Fusion, a follow-up inspection found food at 48 degrees in a glass-door cooler instead of 41 degrees or below. The person in charge reported that the unit was being replaced, and affected time- and temperature-controlled foods were removed or discarded.
Raw eggs held at 53 degrees in a cook-line prep unit were discarded during the inspection. Inspectors also found raw fish stored above ready-to-eat foods in three refrigeration areas.
Additional findings at Origami included inconsistent date marking, employees eating in a food-preparation area, an open employee beverage in a preparation area, improperly stored utensils and food residue on utensils at the sushi bar. Sanitizer concentrations at the three-bay sink and in sanitizer buckets were below the manufacturer’s required range before being corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant was also cited for reusing single-use food containers, a leaking three-compartment sink and sanitation and maintenance issues in an employee restroom.
A complaint inspection at Target #T-2537 in East Whiteland found what inspectors described as mold-like debris on shelves and back walls of milk display coolers, along with unclean shelving and shields in meat and chicken display cases.
Inspectors also reported packages of raw meat and chicken with drippings beneath them in retail display cases. The shelves were cleaned during the inspection.
Heavy condensation was observed dripping from several ledges onto food products in display cases, according to the county, which directed the store to repair the problem.
At Papa John’s Pizza in Berwyn, another complaint inspection found a heavy leak or condensation from the mechanics of a walk-in refrigerator, with liquid collecting in a large trash can below. Inspectors directed the restaurant to repair the unit and properly drain the condensate.
The Berwyn restaurant was also cited for lacking a Chester County Certified Food Manager, which the county identified as a repeat violation. A handwashing sink in the warewashing area was blocked by a bucket and lacked cold water, while the restaurant’s air conditioning was out of service pending repairs.
California Tortilla in Phoenixville was cited for sanitation, plumbing, labeling and handwashing-supply issues. Inspectors reported wet wiping cloths that were not stored in sanitizer, leaks at sinks and plumbing, missing soap at one handwashing sink and empty paper-towel dispensers at two sinks.
Inspectors also directed the restaurant to further clean and sanitize several areas and pieces of equipment, including handwashing sinks, shelving, a storage cart and fryer casters. Water was pooling on the floor of the walk-in cooler, and the facility lacked an appropriate sanitizer test kit at the time of inspection.
Five other establishments inspected Tuesday were listed as in compliance:
- Classic Diner Catering in West Chester,
- Dollar General #3415 in New Garden,
- Duling Kurtz House in Exton,
- Gaudenzia House in West Chester and
- One Zo in West Chester.
The Health Department cautions that inspections provide a “snapshot” of conditions at a particular date and time rather than a definitive assessment of a facility’s long-term food-safety record.
Residents who observe potentially unsanitary conditions can submit a confidential Environmental Health Complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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