WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited multiple food safety and sanitation violations during inspections conducted June 9 at restaurants in Avondale, Phoenixville, Berwyn, and West Grove, according to records released by the Chester County Health Department.
The inspections identified issues ranging from improper food temperatures and cooling procedures to handwashing violations, equipment problems, and sanitation concerns. Inspectors also reported several repeat violations and instances in which potentially hazardous foods were voluntarily discarded during inspections.
At Hartefeld National Golf Club in Avondale, inspectors cited the facility for numerous violations, including improper food storage, inadequate date marking of foods, sanitation deficiencies, and equipment maintenance issues.
Health officials reported that pico de gallo and dressings were being stored beyond the seven-day limit for ready-to-eat foods, a repeat violation. The items were discarded during the inspection. Inspectors also ordered the facility to discontinue use of a bar dishwasher after no chlorine sanitizer was detected during the final rinse cycle.
Additional violations included uncovered foods in a walk-in cooler, the use of improper scoops in dry ingredients, missing handwashing supplies, leaking plumbing, deteriorated flooring, and inadequate sanitizing procedures in a basement food preparation area.
At Nudy’s Bridge Street Café in Phoenixville, inspectors documented several food safety concerns involving temperature control and food handling practices.
Three containers of cooked eggs were discarded after inspectors determined they had not been cooled according to required time and temperature standards. Several foods stored in a malfunctioning bain-marie cooler were measured between 58 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit and were voluntarily discarded. Raw eggs stored at room temperature were also discarded.
Inspectors additionally cited the facility for storing chicken and turkeys in a three-compartment sink used for warewashing, expired yogurt in a walk-in cooler, the absence of a designated person in charge, improper storage of wiping cloths, an inoperable mop sink, and the use of a handwashing sink as a dump sink.
At Win Hao Restaurant in Berwyn, inspectors observed employees washing gloved hands in a three-compartment sink rather than washing bare hands at a designated hand sink.
The inspection also found raw eggs and flour used for fried chicken being stored at room temperature. Inspectors reported that those items were discarded during the visit. Additional violations included dented food cans, food preparation conducted in a warewashing sink, inadequate documentation for time-as-a-public-health-control procedures, grease and food debris accumulation, damaged door screens, and structural openings that could allow pest entry.
At Zen Modern Asian Kitchen in West Grove, inspectors cited the restaurant for multiple food handling and cross-contamination risks.
Violations included employees putting on gloves without first washing their hands, improper thawing of shrimp, raw shell eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods, unlabeled sauce containers, and numerous uncovered foods in storage.
Inspectors also observed foods cooling at room temperature rather than under approved cooling procedures. Lobster tail and scallops were measured above required cold-holding temperatures and were moved to refrigeration for cooling. Four packages of vacuum-sealed tuna that had been thawed without opening the packaging were discarded during the inspection.
Additional violations included dirty food-contact surfaces, blocked hand sinks, improper storage of sanitizer near food preparation areas, cardboard and egg cartons being used as food-contact surfaces, and rusted equipment requiring replacement.
Several other facilities inspected on June 9 were found to be in compliance with health department regulations, including
- Brock & Co Food Service at Ocugen Inc. in Malvern,
- Dough Sweet LLC in West Chester,
- Hung Vuong Market in Berwyn,
- La Petite Academy in Exton,
- Los Osorio in Pottstown, Sky Zone Exton,
- Spring City Community Pool Concession by FoamBoss,
- Sushilux JC Corp at ShopRite in West Chester,
- Wawa #160 in Avondale, and
- Xpress Stop in West Grove.
The Chester County Health Department notes that restaurant inspections represent only a snapshot of conditions observed at the time of inspection and may not reflect a facility’s long-term food safety practices.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at a licensed food establishment may submit a confidential Environmental Health Complaint through the Chester County Health Department at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Individuals who believe they became ill after eating at a food establishment are asked to call the department at 610-344-6225 rather than submitting an online complaint.
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