WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors identified food temperature violations, sanitation deficiencies and equipment failures at six food facilities during inspections conducted Tuesday, Nov. 10, including a senior living facility where improperly stored beef and expired potato salad were discarded.
The Chester County Health Department’s findings also included malfunctioning freezers at a Lionville grocery store, inadequate hot water and a disabled water disinfection system at an Oxford convenience store, and unsafe food temperatures at an Avondale restaurant.
Three of the six inspections were follow-up visits. Inspectors also recorded 15 facilities in compliance with county food safety requirements.
Morningside House of Exton, 200 Sunrise Boulevard, Exton, received 14 violations involving food storage, sanitation, equipment maintenance and cleaning practices.
Inspectors found two packages of raw beef stored overnight in a food preparation sink at room temperature rather than the required 41 degrees or below. The beef was discarded during the inspection.
Potato salad held beyond its permitted date was also discarded, while sliced deli ham lacked the required date marking after thawing.
A raw egg was stored above ready-to-eat food, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. Employees relocated the egg during the inspection.
Additional violations included residue inside an ice machine, rust and debris on walk-in cooler shelving, and inadequate cleaning of floors, equipment and ventilation surfaces.
The facility’s produce-washing chemical dispenser registered zero parts per million, and its testing strips were expired. Inspectors also found that sanitizer was unavailable for the three-compartment sink when the inspection began.
The person in charge obtained chlorine sanitizer during the visit, and inspectors verified a concentration of 100 parts per million.
Other deficiencies included missing sanitizer testing supplies, an unlabeled food container, a damaged windowsill, a missing employee handwashing sign and the absence of a temperature indicator for the high-temperature dishwasher.
GIANT Food Store #6478, 168 Eagleview Boulevard, Lionville, received three violations involving freezer maintenance and dishwashing equipment.
Inspectors documented substantial ice and frost accumulation in multiple walk-in freezers, including a bakery freezer where three of five condenser fans were covered with ice and another fan was partially buried.
Repair orders for several freezer problems dated to August and September, with service appointments scheduled for later in November and early December.
Inspectors directed the store to complete the necessary freezer repairs, including measures to prevent recurring ice accumulation, within two weeks.
The bakery’s mechanical dishwasher also failed to meet required operating temperatures.
Its wash solution measured 136 degrees, below the required minimum of 150 degrees, while food-contact surfaces reached only 146 degrees during the sanitizing cycle instead of the required 160 degrees.
Inspectors ordered the dishwasher taken out of service until repaired.
Limestone Fuels, 301 Limestone Road, Oxford, received six violations during a follow-up inspection, including problems with its water supply, plumbing and restroom facilities.
The facility’s ultraviolet water disinfection system was not functioning. Inspectors directed management to arrange repairs and provide water quality analyses for total coliform bacteria and nitrates.
The hot water heater was also unable to supply sufficient hot water to sinks. According to the inspection report, the facility’s propane tank was empty, preventing the gas-fired heater from operating.
The public restroom handwashing sink did not provide water at the required minimum temperature of 85 degrees, while the employee restroom sink and toilet were inoperable.
Inspectors also found that the public restroom urinal was not flushing.
A repeat violation involved construction debris and discarded materials, including barrels, shelving, wire racks and an old toilet, that inspectors ordered removed.
The facility was additionally directed to remove drywall boards positioned on both sides of its three-compartment sink.
Sedona Mexican Cuisine, 525 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale, received two food temperature violations during a follow-up inspection.
Refried beans were measured between 118 and 125 degrees, while green salsa ranged from 108 to 114 degrees, below the required hot-holding temperature of 135 degrees.
Inspectors determined that the affected foods had been placed in double pans, unlike other items in the steam table that maintained acceptable temperatures.
The beans and salsa were discarded.
Inspectors also found sliced tomatoes measuring between 61 and 63 degrees and cut avocado at 61 degrees in the upper section of a refrigerated preparation unit.
Those items were discarded because they exceeded the maximum cold-holding temperature of 41 degrees.
Although the equipment itself measured below 41 degrees, inspectors found that the upper section lacked adequate pan covers and that aluminum foil was being used instead.
The restaurant was directed to obtain individual covers and monitor food temperatures.
Salvation Army, 101 E. Market Street, West Chester, received six violations involving food handling, sanitation, equipment and certification.
Inspectors found a rotten apple in a fruit bowl near the serving line, with fruit flies present. The fruit was discarded during the inspection.
The facility’s mechanical dishwasher lacked detergent and was ordered out of service until detergent was supplied.
Other findings included an ice machine requiring cleaning and sanitizing, missing chlorine sanitizer testing strips, and a hole in a wall near the dishwasher that required repair.
Inspectors also found that the facility lacked the required Chester County Certified Food Manager certificate. Management was directed to complete the county certification process using an existing valid ServSafe Manager certificate.
ARAMARK at Manavon Elementary School and PAELC, 1-2 Phantom Way, Phoenixville, received one violation during a follow-up inspection.
A two-door Continental refrigerator was unable to maintain potentially hazardous foods at or below 41 degrees.
The unit was not being used when inspectors arrived. The facility was directed to continue using other refrigeration equipment until repairs were completed.
The Health Department also recorded the following 15 facilities as in compliance during inspections conducted Nov. 10:
- 7-Eleven Store 2408-40306A, 2066 Newark Road, New London.
- Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1107 West Chester Pike, West Chester.
- ARAMARK at Schuylkill Elementary School, 290 S. White Horse Road, Phoenixville.
- Baithak Indian Cuisine LLC, 10 Riverside Drive, Spring City.
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, 1086 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown.
- Center City Steaks, 47 E. Bridge Street, Spring City.
- Country Bagel Bakery, 929 S. High Street, Suite 21, West Chester.
- CVS Pharmacy #2495, 751 W. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown.
- Family Dollar #24529, 1843 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.
- La Nueva Plazita LLC, 525 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale.
- Malvern Preparatory School Dining Services, 418 S. Warren Avenue, Malvern.
- Mayflower Chinese Restaurant, 53 E. Bridge Street, Spring City.
- Oso Sweet LLC, 326 W. Cedar Street, Kennett Square.
- Radnor Hunt, 826 Providence Road, Malvern.
- Waynesborough Country Club, 440 Darby Paoli Road, Paoli.
The Chester County Health Department emphasizes that inspection findings represent conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect a facility’s overall or long-term food safety performance.
Residents who observe potentially unsafe conditions at a licensed food establishment 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 Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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