WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited multiple food establishments for food safety and equipment violations during inspections conducted June 23, including temperature-control issues that resulted in food being discarded at several locations.
The most extensive violations were documented at Kooma Sushi Bar and Lounge in West Chester, where inspectors cited the restaurant for numerous food safety deficiencies, including improperly stored raw chicken, inadequate cold holding temperatures for seafood and sauces, missing date labels, sanitizer concentration issues, and the use of food-contact equipment that was not clean to sight and touch.
Inspectors ordered the disposal of temperature-controlled foods, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, eel, ceviche and house-made sauces that were being stored between 43 and 51 degrees rather than the required 41 degrees or below. Additional violations involved thawing fish in vacuum-sealed packaging, leaking plumbing fixtures, unlabeled chemical containers and the use of repaired equipment that could not be adequately cleaned.
At Kwality Ice Cream in Malvern, inspectors found multiple temperature-controlled foods stored at 45 to 48 degrees in an undercounter refrigerator operating above safe temperatures. Foods including milk, cooked noodles, rehydrated basil seeds and gulab were affected. The facility was directed to repair the unit and discontinue storing food inside until temperatures can be maintained at 41 degrees or below.
Primo Hoagies in Exton was cited after inspectors found foods stored at 45 to 51 degrees in a customer-area reach-in cooler. Affected foods were discarded during the inspection. Additional violations included food residue on a deli slicer, a cellphone stored on the slicer, unclean food preparation areas and rust on the facility’s hood system.
State Street Pizza & Grill in Kennett Square received citations for storing food directly on walk-in refrigerator and freezer floors, unclean equipment and shelving, and a walk-in cooler door that failed to seal properly.
Tellboone Group LLC, operating as Northbrook Marketplace in West Chester, was cited for storing food directly on a freezer floor, inadequate sanitizer levels in a dishwasher, improperly chilled creamers, unclear date marking of prepared foods and several maintenance issues.
Inspectors restored proper sanitizer levels in the facility’s dishwasher during the visit after discovering no detectable chlorine in the final rinse cycle.
The Chester County Health Department noted that inspection reports represent conditions observed at the time of inspection and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term compliance status.
In Compliance
The following establishments were inspected on June 23 and found to be in compliance with Chester County food safety regulations:
- Canteen @ Vanguard Victory, Malvern
- Canteen Vending of Phoenixville @ 1303 Goshen Parkway, West Chester
- Dollar Tree #08337, Kennett Square
- Insomnia Cookies, Exton
- La Colombe Coffee Bar @ Rad Vanguard, Wayne
- Munchies Grilled Cheese, Woodlyn
- Papa John’s Pizza, West Chester
- Rolling Stars LLC, West Chester
- Wawa #25, West Goshen
- Wawa #81, West Goshen
- Win Hao Restaurant, Berwyn
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at food establishments may submit a complaint through the Chester County Health Department. Individuals who believe they became ill after eating at a food facility are encouraged to contact the department directly at 610-344-6225.
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