WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors ordered food discarded at three establishments Thursday after finding refrigeration or food-safety problems, while a fourth facility was cited for sanitation and certification issues during the county’s Aug. 27 inspections.
The Chester County Health Department cautions that each inspection represents conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
At Liberty House in Phoenixville, inspectors found butter, milk, mayonnaise, fruit punch, tomato sauce and rice between 44 and 48 degrees in a two-door cooler, above the required maximum of 41 degrees. All time- and temperature-controlled foods in the unit were discarded.
Inspectors also reported that the cooler was not maintaining required temperatures and that no other refrigerators were available. The facility was additionally cited for expired chlorine test strips and sanitizer at 10 parts per million in a three-bay warewashing sink, below the required 50 to 100 ppm. The sanitizer concentration was corrected to 50 ppm during the inspection.
At Philly Pretzel Factory in Avondale, an Avantco refrigerator initially measured 47 degrees. Inspectors recorded American cheese, pepperoni, shredded cheese, beef franks, hot dogs, smoked sausage and yeast at temperatures ranging from 46 to 53 degrees.
Time- and temperature-controlled foods above 41 degrees were discarded, while colder items were moved to a walk-in cooler. By the end of the inspection, the refrigerator’s ambient temperature had fallen to 40 to 41 degrees.
The Avondale shop was also cited for expired sanitizer test strips, a repeat violation involving a blocked rear handwashing sink, missing soap and paper towels at another hand sink, cleaning deficiencies and a leaking mop-sink backflow preventer.
At Apna Bazar Exton, operated by Grand Singh Group LLC, inspectors found boondi laddu described as distressed and adulterated. The food was removed during the inspection.
The market was also cited after inspectors observed raw eggs stored above produce, ice buildup in a refrigerator and a restricted-use pesticide being applied by a non-certified applicator. The pesticide found near the back door was discarded.
Inspectors additionally directed Apna Bazar to immediately stop cutting produce such as pumpkin because the facility was not approved for that type of food preparation. Management was instructed either to purchase produce already cut to the required size or seek approval to use an approved food facility located within the premises.
The inspection also found no handwashing sink available for employees before putting on gloves at the candy counter and no employee handwashing reminder signs in the restrooms.
Saxbys Coffee on South High Street in West Chester received four findings. Inspectors observed cold-brew bags stored over the sprayer at a three-bay sink, creating a potential contamination risk, and employees moved the bags during the inspection.
The coffee shop was also cited because it did not employ a Chester County-certified food manager. An employee with a valid ServSafe credential was directed to apply for county certification within five days.
Several cleaning issues at Saxbys were repeat violations, including dusty ceilings, vents and nearby walls; floors behind and beneath equipment in the preparation area; and floors inside front-counter sink and ice-bin cabinets. Inspectors also cited dirty blenders and a walk-in cooler floor and found no soap at the front-counter handwashing sink.
Twenty-one other facilities inspected Aug. 27 were listed as in compliance, including
- Black Horse Tavern in Phoenixville,
- Fattoush and House of Biryanis & Kebabs in Malvern,
- Jaco Juice & Taco in West Chester,
- Love Again Local in West Chester,
- The Drift in Phoenixville,
- Turks Head Wines in West Chester,
- Venice Pizza & Pasta in East Whiteland,
- Aquilante’s Original Catering in Phoenixville,
- Canteen Vending of Phoenixville at Hayden Management,
- Chocolate Therapy in Exton,
- Chuckie B’s Meatballs in West Chester,
- Hickory House Nursing Home in Honey Brook,
- Lunch Stop at Ebenezer F.G. Baptist Church in Downingtown,
- Mario & Gino’s Italian Kitchen and its commissary in West Chester,
- Phoenixville Area Children’s Learning Center at Kimberton Square,
- Sabatino’s Mobile Pizza in West Chester,
- The Learning Experience in East Pikeland, and
- The Ridge at Chesterbrook.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions can submit a confidential Environmental Health Complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Anyone who becomes sick after eating at a food establishment is instructed to call the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225 instead of submitting the online complaint form.
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