LIONVILLE, PA — The Chester County Health Department cited Umami Asian Bistro Inc. for a range of food safety and sanitation violations during a February 20 inspection, though inspectors reported that earlier cockroach activity had dropped enough that an imminent health hazard was no longer present.
The inspection at the restaurant, 150 Eagleview Blvd. in Lionville, found time-and-temperature controlled foods including raw shrimp and imitation crab held at 43 degrees in a prep-top unit instead of 41 degrees or below. Inspectors directed staff not to double-stack containers in the top portion of the unit, and the foods were voluntarily discarded.
Inspectors also reported several raw animal foods stored above ready-to-eat foods in refrigerators. The items were relocated during the inspection.
The department cited the facility for not date-marking ready-to-eat foods prepared in-house and held for more than 24 hours, a requirement intended to prevent foods from being kept beyond safe time limits. Inspectors directed the restaurant to begin date-marking those items and discard them within seven days.
Additional violations included dented cans not clearly separated from other canned goods; food-ingredient containers not labeled with common names; and scoops without handles left submerged in soy sauce and other bulk containers. Inspectors directed the facility to use handled scoops and keep them from being submerged.
The report also cited the reuse of containers intended for single use, including soy sauce buckets and fish trays, and directed the restaurant to replace them with NSF-approved food containers.
Inspectors noted utensils stored on a pipe by the wok station that was not easily or frequently cleaned and sanitized; the utensils were moved at the inspector’s request. Inspectors also observed food stored directly on the floor in a walk-in refrigerator rather than at least 6 inches off the floor.
Sanitation issues included residue observed inside the ice machine, a food contact surface. Inspectors directed staff to remove ice and wash, rinse and sanitize the unit. The department also ordered cleaning of refrigerator door gaskets, areas under the cook line, the grooves that secure prep-top cutting boards, and the grease tray under the vent hood.
Maintenance problems were cited at multiple locations, including leaks at the sushi bar prep sink and hand sink—both leaking from knobs and spigots even when turned off—as well as a leak under the wok station.
The department reported that cockroach activity had “reduced greatly” and that the imminent health hazard had been abated, but ordered the restaurant to continue working with a pest control provider until eradication is achieved and to forward all pest control reports to the department.
Inspectors also found the facility did not have a calibrated, functioning pH meter meeting required accuracy standards. The report said staff were assisted in calibrating the meter to improved accuracy, but the restaurant was directed to purchase a new pH meter and calibration solutions and to use “time as a public health control” until the new meter arrives.
For Chester County residents, the inspection provides an updated snapshot of conditions at the Lionville restaurant following earlier pest-related concerns. Anyone who witnesses unsanitary conditions at a licensed food facility may submit an Environmental Health Complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Those who become sick after eating at a food establishment are advised to call 610-344-6225.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.