Chesco Food Inspectors Cite For Slicer, Storage Violations

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Only a handful of Chester County restaurants had more than 10 state inspection violations during the last half of May, with violations ranging from dirty slicers to labeling issues.

Foresta's Country Meat Market, 1098 W Bridge St., in Phoenixville, received 15 citations on May 24. An inspector noted "potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler not being date marked."

Other violations there were similarly related to improper storage of food. The report said several raw assorted animal foods were stored intermixed on shelves throughout a walk-in cooler and that a large pot of stuffing was found stored on an unclean cart not properly covered, with a pan as a scoop. Foresta's was told to provide a food-grade scoop with a handle. Chemicals were noted as stored in non-designated areas.

The inspection comments contained a list of areas the establishment was told to clean and sanitized that included build-up in an ice cream freezer, an air conditioner cover and ceiling vent cover above dairy coolers. Foresta's Country Meat Market was also told to clean and sanitize all prep rooms and the deli area, including the area under the wrapping unit in the meat prep room, the mean display case exterior including its sliding doors, and the surfaces under meat slicers and scales.

An inspector's comments explaining why Pat's Pizzeria at 498 Nutt Road in Phoenixville was cited 14 times said further cleaning and sanitizing were needed in a back prep room where dough is made. Cleaning and sanitizing were needed on hood filters above fryers, a ceiling vent cover above a two-door freezer, and the exterior and interiors of all 3 bain maries, which are a type of stainless steel pot used in foodservice. A slicer undercarriage and exterior parts were cited as unclean and the Food and Safety inspector told the establishment to disassemble it for proper cleaning.

Pat's Pizzeria also received citations related to the storage of food containers and chemical spray bottles.

Pottstown's King Wok Chinese Restaurant, 1102 Town Square Road, had 22 violations in a May 24 inspection. The state Food and Safety inspector began their report by stating, "The person in charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection."

Violations included storage problems that the inspector wrote could be "potentially hazardous," such as ready-to-eat food prepared and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler without being date marked.

King Wok also was cited for multiple sanitation issues, several having to do with the restaurant's dumpster area, where an oil container was uncovered and debris was on the ground, the report said. Employees also were seen not wearing proper hair restraints and a food prep sink was not draining properly.

Coatesville's Lincoln Diner, 1202 W. Lincoln Highway received 15 citations on May 17. Among violations was the diner's failure to provide a consumer advisory for customers ordering their eggs or beef undercooked. The inspector gave Lincoln Diner five days to correct this.

The restaurant was told to replace a wooden cutting table with a foodservice grade table, and to provide a clean concrete pad for grease disposal within 30 days. Other violations included areas that needed cleaning, including a food slicer, a knife holder, the floor throughout the kitchen and under equipment, and the grill.

The Triple Fresh Market, 801 Doe Run Road in Coatesville received 14 citations on May 25. Food and Safety inspectors noted some food in the meat case — crab cakes and stuffed chicken — did not have ingredient listings, including allergen ingredients.

Triple Fresh Market was told to resurface the floor in its storage room so it can be more easily cleaned. Some purses and personal items were noted in food serving areas, and some spray bottles did not have their contents labeled.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture published its Food and Safety inspection reports regularly so that the public can access the information.

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