WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Health Department inspectors cited multiple food establishments on July 20 for violations involving improper food temperatures, sanitation practices and employee food safety procedures, with several businesses required to discard potentially hazardous food during inspections.
Inspection reports provide a snapshot of conditions observed at the time of each visit and do not necessarily reflect a facility’s long-term compliance history.
Southern Spice, 126 Woodcutter St., Exton, received one of the most extensive inspections of the day after inspectors documented violations involving food held above required temperatures, improper handwashing, inadequate cooling procedures, lack of date marking, sanitizer deficiencies and improper food storage.
Inspectors reported chicken that contacted an unclean pipe during cooling was discarded, as were foods stored in opened metal cans and food found in containers that previously held soap. Temperature-controlled foods including tofu, fish and half-and-half also were cited for being held outside required refrigeration temperatures. The facility was also cited for lacking a Chester County-certified food manager.
The Original Hot Bagels, 100 Landenberg Road, Landenberg, was ordered to discard cream cheese, meats and fish after inspectors found the products being held between 48 and 54 degrees in a display case instead of the required 41 degrees or below. Inspectors also cited the business for lacking written procedures for using time instead of temperature controls for certain breakfast foods and noted the property’s sewer system permits only one restroom for customer and employee use.
CVS Pharmacy #1401, 130 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville, discarded refrigerated foods after inspectors measured a cooler at 49 degrees. Yogurt, hard-boiled eggs and other temperature-controlled foods were removed from sale, and the store was directed to service the refrigeration unit before restocking it. Inspectors also cited dented canned goods and the lack of a covered waste receptacle in the customer restroom.
A follow-up inspection at Pho Now, 3911 E. Lincoln Highway, Downingtown, identified violations including food residue on a deli slicer, improper utensil storage, reuse of single-use containers, misuse of a handwashing sink, inadequate drying space for cleaned dishes and sanitation deficiencies around a floor drain.
Another follow-up inspection at Taqueria Mi Ranchito, 303 W. Boot Road, West Chester, found several repeat food safety concerns. Inspectors cited improper reheating of rice and beans, missing date labels on refrigerated foods, improper thawing of chicken at room temperature and vacuum-sealed fish, sanitizer concentrations outside required levels and evidence of ants near a rear entrance.
Inspectors also ordered the disposal of several ready-to-eat foods that exceeded allowable storage times and foods left overnight that failed to cool to safe temperatures. The restaurant was additionally cited for not employing a Chester County-certified food manager.
Other violations documented during the inspections included employees failing to wash their hands before changing gloves or handling food, unlabeled food containers, food stored directly on floors, refrigeration units operating above required temperatures, plumbing leaks and inadequate chemical sanitizer concentrations.
The following facilities were reported in compliance during inspections:
- CVS Pharmacy #10371 in West Chester,
- CVS Pharmacy #4772 in Spring City,
- El Zocalo Inc. in Downington,
- Habanero Taco Express Ice Cream in Downingtown,
- Kwality Ice Cream in Malvern,
- La Tortuguita Dorada in Coatesville,
- Landenberg United Methodist Church in Landenberg,
- Manje Caribbean Cuisine in West Chester,
- McDonald’s #10628 in Phoenixville,
- Mexican Grocery Tres Hermanos in Spring City,
- Siete Estrellas Bakery in West Grove,
- Tio Mexican Restaurant in Berwyn and
- Town Deals in Coatesville.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at licensed food facilities may submit a confidential complaint through the Chester County Health Department. People who believe they became ill after eating at a food establishment are advised to contact the department directly by telephone at 610-344-6225 rather than using the online complaint form.
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