Susan Miers Smith: Berks food safety inspections: Restaurant had moldlike residue on gaskets of all refrigerators, freezers

Apr. 29—Berks County is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township and the rest of the county. Reading and Muhlenberg Township have their own inspectors and the rest of the county is inspected by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors.

The results will be posted every other week. All food vendors are inspected at least once a year. Other inspections can be triggered by a change of owner, a follow up if a facility had been out of compliance or by a complaint filed with the PDA.

View any vendor's last inspection report online. Click on the PDF version of the inspection report for all details.

If a food provider is labeled out of compliance, that means it has one or more violations that require a return visit by an inspector. The establishment is given time to fix the problem(s) and remains open for business.

Complaints can be filed online with the PDA.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between April 13 and April 26, 2022, that were filed in the state database as of April 28 at 8 p.m.

Berks

Exeter Twp. School District Lorane Elementary, 699 Rittenhouse Drive, Reading, April 19: no violations.

Sheetz #247, 14350 Kutztown Road, Fleetwood, April 19: four violations. Lid for the chocolate frozen dessert machine #2 is chipped and cracked around edges. Ice bin under counter has a rubber gasket strip around door frame area that is flaking and peeling and could potentially fall in ice. Hood vent above fryer area has loose caulking strips hanging above fryers that should be removed. Food facility is using an approved non-public water system, but does not have current laboratory testing results for water potability.

Cloud Nine Cafe, 84 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, April 18: two violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the dishwasher (chlorine strips). Wall in the back kitchen area near the table-top warmer has a hole and is in need of repair.

Original Mama's Pizza, 1814 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, April 18: one violation. Two working containers (spray bottles) in the front area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Iezzi's On 3rd, 61 S. Reading Ave., Boyertown, April 15: eight violations. Observed deli meats in the Advantco 2 door cooler stored open with no covering. Observed deeply scored/discolored cutting boards on the 1st floor kitchen bain marie, not resurfaced or discarded as required. There is observable old food splatter/mold like residue on the door gaskets of all refrigerators and freezers. There is observable build up of old food debris on the exterior surface of all refrigerators and freezers. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink in the upstairs kitchen, indicating uses other than handwashing. The drain is leaking at the three-bay sink in the upstairs kitchen. The ice machine in the back room has observable black moldlike build up. There is observable greaselike build up on the exhaust hood/filters, the wall behind, floor under and in between all equipment on the main cook line in both kitchens. Observed in-use knives and /or cleavers stored between table edges or between tables, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Out of compliance.

Panda Inn, 330 W. Weis St., Topton, April 14: three violations. Food dispensing utensils in dry goods observed stored in the food and not with handles above the top of the food and the container. This is a repeat violation. The handwash sink located in the arprep ea does not have water at a temperature of at least 100°F. Corrected by using other conveniently located handwash sinks. Soap was not available at the handwash sink next to walk-in cooler. Corrected.

Liberty At Dryville, 110 Lyons Road, Mertztown, April 13: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration, both for quaternary sanitizer (used in sanitizer buckets) and chlorine sanitizer (used in low-temp sanitizing dishwasher).

Muhlenberg Township

Mama's Pizza, 4425 Pottsville Pike, April 24: three violations. Food dispensing utensil in sugar observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Corrected on inspection. Tomato pieces/luncheon meat were held at 43.3°F, in the bain marie, rather than 41°F or below as required. Owner will add additional metal pans to bain marie, which are more effective at temperature transfer. Additionally, adjustment of thermostats, especially during open business hours will support safe temperature zone storage. The hand wash sink in the prep area was blocked by dough bins and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected on inspection.

Dutch Maid Bakery, 4925 Kutztown Road, April 23: one violation. One of the large mixing bowls is worn on the inside surface. Use alternate large bowl pending replacement.

Wal-Mart Store # 2614, 5370 Allentown Pike, April 23: no violations.

Joe's Place, 5 Spring Valley Road, April 20: 15 violations. The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. An open employee's beverage container was observed in bain marie, a food preparation area. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. A food employee was observed touching — deli ham for salad — a ready-to-eat food — with bare hands.Observed wet wiping cloths in cook's area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Foods exposed to grease dripping form overhead ventilation. Canned corn was held at 124.3 °F, in the flat grill area, rather than 135°F or above as required. Salad dressing, diced tomatoes, celery/carrot sticks were held at 69.6°F, in the bain marie, rather than 41°F or below as required. Salad dressing, a potentially hazardous food, in the bain marie, was not maintained at 41°F or below or at 135°F or above for over 4 hours, and requires discarding. Time in lieu of temperature being used as a control for potentially hazardous foods, but diced tomatoes/salad dressings observed being held for more than 4 hours. Refrigerator interior, bain marie interior, cutting board at bain marie #1, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Compressor of silver reach in refrigerator is covered with thick layer of dust. Observed cooking equipment (stove & grill)/adjacent walls, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. The food facility does not employee a certified employee as required. No handwashing signage available in the men's or ladies' rooms. Dish machine floor area of the food facility is dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Out of compliance

McDonald's of Temple, 5372 Allentown Pike, April 16: no violations.

Schell's Drive In, 4625 N. Fifth St., April 16: two violations. Rear entrance door located in the storage room area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Observed food stored in covered containers directly on the floor in walk-in refrigerator, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.

Bojangle's, 3215 N. Fifth St., April 15: two violations. Exposed food preparation observed in area under dirty ventilation duct, and subject to potential contamination. Frozen macaroni & cheese was not fully submerged while reheating in heated water.

Jambalaya J's Dixie Kitchen & The Soda Shoppe, 2910 N. Fifth St., April 15: no violations.

McDonald's of Muhlenberg, 430 Elizabeth Ave., April 15: no violations.

The Hot Spot, 2934 N. Fifth St. Highway, April 15: no violations.

Reading

City Line Learning Academy, 2026 Hampden Blvd., April 26: no violations.

Seven Eleven Food Store 44004060, 406 Lackawanna St., April 26: no violations.

Warren St Sunoco, 200 Warren St., April 26: no violations.

10th & Green Elem. School, 400 N. 10th St., April 25: no violations.

12 & Marion Elementary School, 1200 N. 12th St., April 25: no violations.

Millmont Elementary School, 300 Carroll St., April 25: no violations.

Northeast Middle School, 1201 N. 12th St., April 25: no violations.

Southern Jr Middle School, 126 S. 10th St., April 25: no violations.

Tyson-Schoener Elementary School, 319 S. Fifth St., April 25: no violations.

13th & Green Elementary School, 501 N. 13th St., April 20: no violations.

13th & Union Elementary School, 1600 N. 13th St., April 20: no violations.

Thomas Ford Magnet School, 901 Margaret St., April 20: no violations.

Thomas Ford Tfa, 1020 Old Wyomissing St., April 20: no violations.

Berks Community College, 10 S. Second St., April 19: no violations.

Reverb 366526, 1330 N. Ninth St., April 19: no violations.

8 Town Puerta Del Sol, 949 Elm St., April 15: two violations. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the girls restroom area. Hood system needs to be professionally cleaned and serviced. Documentation required.

Platinum Cafe & Lounge, 1925 Centre Ave., April 15: one violation. Observed Empty Automatic dispensers for Detergent and Sanitizer for Warewashing Machine.

Tivoli Beneficial Assoc 15803390., 339 Blair Ave., April 15: no violations.

Topher's Cafe 366071, 247 N. 10th St., April 15: one violation.Observed Missing top to Toilet in men's restroom.

Veteran Firemen Association 51214270, 1427 Montgomery St., April 15: no violations.

Alvernia University Cafeteria 64004640, 400 St. Bernadine St., April 14: no violations.

Alvernia Courtside Cafe, 400 St. Bernadine St., April 14: no violations.

Alvernia University Kestrel Cafe 331443, 400 St. Bernadine St., April 14: no violations.

Alvernia University The Plex, 400 St. Bernadine St., April 14: no violations.

Canal Street Pub 17805350, 535 Canal St., April 14: no violations.

Jack's Pub, 1500 N. 10th St., April 14: no violations.

La Cabana, 48 S. Sixth St., April 14: one violation. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the Men's restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands.

Northmont Fellowship Assoc. 16606000, 600 Bruckman Ave., April 14: no violations.

Young Mens Democratic Assoc. A4405500, 550 N. 11th St., April 14: no violations.

10th & Penn Elementary School, 955 Penn St., April 13: no violations.

Southwest Middle School, 201 S. Third St., April 13: no violations.

Updates

The following reports for the period of March 30 to April 12, 2022, were added to the state's database after April 14 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Berks

Andre Farms, 2638 W Philadelphia Ave., Oley, April 12: two violations. Some prepackaged grab-n-go food items (salads, deviled eggs) are not labeled properly with the ingredient statement. A set of lights is not shielded or shatter proof over the slicers at the front counter.

Antietam Mt. Penn Elementary Center, 2310 Cumberland Ave., Reading, April 12: no violations.

Antietam School District Primary Center, 201 N. 25 th St., Reading, April 12: no violations.

Antietam Senior High School, 100 Antietam Road, Reading, April 12: no violations.

Local Leaf Market, 3071 W. Philadelphia Ave., Oley, April 12: no violations.

Spicytaco-Mff3-Zlg6158, 241 Godfrey St., Bethel, April 12: no violations.

The Pulse Cafe, 7184 Bernville Road, Bernville, April 12: no violations.

Berks County Residential Center (ICE), 1040 Berks Road, Leesport, April 11: no violations.

Daniel Boone School District High School, 501 Chestnut St. PO Box 450, Birdsboro, April 11: no violations.

Daniel Boone School District Monocacy Elementary Center, 576 Monocacy Creek Road, Birdsboro, April 11: no violations.

Rutter's #92, 15475 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, April 11: no violations.

Speedway #06731, 2336 W. Lancaster Pike, Reading, April 11: three violations. Ice chutes in soda fountain and ice coffee machine area have pink slime mold on drop chute flap area. Walk-in cooler ceiling area in front of fan box covers is extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Also corner at door/rack area has old dirt/mold in corner at floor area. Drain under soda fountain counter has dirt/ mold build up.

Twin Valley School District Robeson Elementary, 801 White Bear Road, Birdsboro, April 11: no violations.

Conrad Weiser School District High School, 44 Big Spring Road, Robesonia, April 8: no violations.

Conrad Weiser School District Middle School, 347 E. Penn Ave., Robesonia, April 8: one violation. Water, as observed at front line handwash sink, is not under pressure during inspection. Also rear kitchen sink hot water was not properly working at the time of inspection.

Fox's Country Tea House, 4023 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf, April 8: no violations.

Fraternal Order of Orioles, 100 N. Washington St., Boyertown, April 8: two violations. The soda gun nozzle at the bar, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected onsite. Observed deeply scored cutting boards on the Baine Marie, not resurfaced or discarded as required.

Fry Daddy's, 740 Noble St., Kutztown, April 8: no violations.

Gigi's Pennside Drive-In, 916 Carsonia Ave., Reading, April 8: one violation. Food facility has lost its certified food employee over 3 months ago and has not replaced the certified food employee as required.

Hereford Elementary School, 1043 Gravel Pike, Hereford, April 8: no violations.

IHop #5502, 2701 N. Meridian Blvd., Wyomissing, April 8: one violation. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the dishwashing area. Corrected.

Jim Neidermyer Poultry & Deli, 740 Noble St., Kutztown, April 8: no violations.

Reiffton Fire Company, 46 W. 33rd St., Reading, April 8: two violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration for the glass washer. The handwash sink behind the bar does not have single use towels. Corrected.

Shifty's, 100 Gun Club Road, Mohnton, April 8: one violation. Egg and beef burgers are served raw or undercooked to the customer's request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer.

Stoltzfus Luncheonette, 845 B Woodland Road, Wyomissing, April 8: no violations.

Target #2529, 4599 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, April 8: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Corrected.

True's Cuppa Love, 5 E. Penn Ave., Wernersville, April 8: no violations.

Boyertown Area Schools Boyertown Elementary, 641 E. Second St., Boyertown, April 7: no violations.

Boyertown Area Schools Earl Elementary, 22 School House Road, Boyertown, April 7: no violations.

Boyertown Middle School West, 200 S Madison St., Boyertown, April 7: no violations.

Gabelsville Athletic Assn, 2 N. Funk Road, Boyertown, April 7: no violations.

Mario's Pizza, 159 S. Reading Ave., Boyertown, April 7: three violations. Torn rubber door gaskets observed on the True 3 door cooling unit. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Observable old food debris/splatter on the handles of the 3 door True, and 3 door Beverage Air cold hold units.

Moyer's Catering Inc., 237 S. Ironstone Drive, Boyertown, April 7: three violations. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the front left side display case. There is an observable build up of old food spillage/dust on the floor, under the racks in the large walk in cooler. End caps are missing on the last light above the prep table.

Conrad Weiser School District East Elementary, 200 Lincoln Drive, Wernersville, April 4: two violations. Plastic utensils used for cooking are deformed/chipped and misshapen from heat, and are not durable under normal use in the food facility. corrected by discarding. Walk in cooler ceiling area in front of fan box is extremely dusty and in need of cleaning.

Exeter Twp. School District Junior High School, 151 E. 39th St., Reading, April 4: no violations.

Exeter Twp. School District Reiffton Elementary, 4355 Dunham Drive, Reading, April 4: no violations.

Exeter Twp. School District Sr High School, 201 E. 37th St., Reading, April 4: no violations.

Giant Food Store #6446, 4655 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, April 4: two violations. The handwash sinks in the meat department do not have single use towels. Corrected. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair — observed water leaking at some of the sinks in the deli department.

Blue Marsh Restaurant & Pizzeria, 5027 Bernville Road, Bernville, April 1: no violations.

Boyertown Area Schools Senior High School, 120 N. Monroe St., Boyertown, April 1: no violations.

Carmelo's Pizza Restaurant, 116 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, April 1: six violations. The shelving in the walk in cooler is rusting. The gasket in the Danby refrigerator is torn, and the door is out of alignment. There is observable old food spillage in the bottoms of the Vissani and Magic Chef chest freezers. Not a repeat. Floor tiles in front of the walk-in cooler are missing and cracked, making the area not an easily cleanable surface. The condensation line in the walk in cooler is disconnected and leaking into a tray. There is observable greaselike build up on the sides of the grille, stove, and fryer, along with the hood exhaust, wall behind and floor under this equipment. There is observable old food spillage/splatter on the wall behind, and floor under the 3 bay sink.

Circle K Prime Foods Inc., 1255 Montgomery Ave., New Berlinville, April 1: one violation. Observed 2 gallons of Clover Farms Whole Milk, and 1 quart of Clover Farms Fat Free Milk offered for public sale with a sell by date of 3-31-22. Corrected onsite.

Muhlenberg Township

Five Star Nutrition, 3316 N. Fifth Street Highway, April 4, no violations.