CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited four food facilities on July 14 for violations involving unsafe food temperatures, contaminated equipment, improper handwashing and pest-control practices, while a fifth remained closed pending additional corrections and inspection.
County officials caution that each inspection reflects conditions observed at a particular time and may not represent an establishment’s long-term sanitation and food-safety record.
At Issho Inc., 216 N. Pottstown Pike in Exton, inspectors found employees using time rather than temperature to control certain foods without written procedures or records. The restaurant was directed to mark when flour used on raw meat must be discarded and replace it every four hours.
An employee was observed rinsing hands in a bucket at the cooking line rather than using a designated handwashing sink. Inspectors ordered the facility to retrain staff.
The restaurant was also washing and reusing single-use containers, including soy sauce buckets and seaweed containers. It was directed to obtain food-grade containers and replace a rice cooker, dishwasher racks and an ice machine.
The ice machine could not be used after inspectors found residue inside. Food utensils at the cooking line also contained residue and were removed for washing, rinsing and sanitizing during the inspection.
Additional violations included a broken walk-in freezer, food stored beneath exposed insulation, dirty cooking equipment and floor drains, a wooden table that must be replaced with stainless steel, and sanitizer concentration above the approved level.
The facility also lacked a county-certified food protection employee. An employee had completed an approved course but had not applied for certification.
At Smile Food Inc., doing business as Hostetter Market, 479 Limestone Road in Oxford, inspectors discarded temperature-controlled foods after a deli display case registered between 43 and 49 degrees, above the required maximum of 41 degrees.
Discarded foods included deli ham, hot dogs, turkey breast and American cheese, which measured between 46 and 48 degrees. The market was directed not to use the case for temperature-controlled foods until it is repaired and to provide the county with a service invoice.
Two half-gallon containers of milk carrying July 12 sell-by dates were also discarded. Several refrigerated sandwiches that had been transferred from frozen storage were date-marked during the inspection.
Inspectors found a can of Raid near a hand sink and ordered it removed because restricted-use pesticides may only be applied in food facilities by licensed pest-control professionals.
The market also lacked sanitizer test strips. The person in charge ordered them during the inspection.
At El Ranchero, 305 W. State St. in Kennett Square, inspectors found ribs thawing at room temperature. Because they remained frozen, staff were instructed to thaw them under refrigeration or cool running water.
Grilled chicken prepared the previous day measured 47 degrees after failing to cool to 41 degrees and was discarded. Inspectors directed the restaurant to cool prepared foods uncovered.
The facility was also ordered to clean its tortilla press regularly and paint a wooden board so its surface can be cleaned properly.
A follow-up inspection at Han Dynasty, 260 N. Pottstown Pike, Suite 68, in Exton found that the cooking line and hood had undergone deep cleaning and an old wok had been removed.
The restaurant did not receive permission to reopen. A replacement wok requires township approval and must be installed without gaps along the wall, with new grout beneath it.
Inspectors must return after the installation, and the facility must correct all outstanding violations from prior reports. The kitchen will also require another deep cleaning after construction.
The following establishments were listed as in compliance:
- Arbor Terrace Willistown – Food, 1713 West Chester Pike, West Chester
- Baxter’s/Tredyffrin, 14 Paoli Shopping Center, Paoli
- Features & More/CCHD No. 1570, 37 S. Third St., Oxford
- Giant Food Store No. 6051/West Whiteland, 153 E. Swedesford Road, Exton
- Halal Munchies, 480 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
- Julie Anne’s Place, 22 S. Warren Ave., Malvern
- Merrill Gardens at Arbour Square – Food, 1201 Ward Ave., West Chester
- Produce Place, 606 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square
- Sweet Zen Bakery, 12 General Warren Blvd., Malvern
- Turkey Hill No. 177/Coatesville, 300 W. Kings Highway, Coatesville
- WCG&CC Pool Snack Bar, 811 N. New St., West Chester
- West Chester Area Day Care Center – Food, 501 E. Nields St., West Chester
Residents may submit confidential environmental health complaints at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Anyone who became ill after eating at a food establishment should call 610-344-6225.
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