lehigh county restaurant inspections

Source: Pennsylvania Dept. Establishment Match By Name/Location -Soap was not available at the handwash sink behind the deli case. -Food, which was cooled, was not reheated to 165 degrees F within two hours, for hot holding. Description: Employees were not washing their hands when switching tasks. Restaurant's response: Call for comment was disconnected. Here are the results of food safety inspections in Lehigh and Northampton counties for the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 3. -The handwash sink located in the mens and womens bathroom area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 degrees F. -Pastellios were being hot held at a temperature of 111F, instead of 135F or higher as required. 7070 RTE 309 NEW TRIPOLI, PA 18066. Deteriorated back door has gaps allowing potential access to insects and rodents. The Allentown Health Bureau licenses and inspects all retail food establishments in the City of Allentown including restaurants, caterers, markets, convenience stores, clubs, mobile food vehicles, temporary food stands, non-profit food facilities, churches, food banks, food vending machines and anywhere food is sold or distributed to the end -Various meats and raw cut vegetables in the walk-in cooler area stored open with no covering. Blose's Market. -Customer soda fountain nozzles, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and mold/slime-like build-up and was not clean to sight and touch. Results for each one are published in an online database by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, departments statewide inspection database, https://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx, Pennsylvania Dept. "The goal is not to dock people for things," said Shannon Powers, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which conducts many of the inspections. "I think we've kind of learned our lesson and hope to do better going forward," he said. "The management took advantage of the opportunity and chose to remain closed to further update furnishings and kitchen equipment. Address: 2555 Easton-Nazareth Road, Palmer Township. Hand wash sink are only to be used for hand washing. -The food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils did not reach 160 degrees F during the sanitizing cycle of the high temperature dishwasher. We have corrected everything, he said. In addition, the Allentown Health Bureau investigates complaints of food-borne illness and adulterated food products in Allentown facilities. Description: Candy given to customers after their meals is only labeled in Chinese. Inspection notes: Ice machine has some mold growth; rodent droppings under shelves; walk-in is dripping condensation into a bucket, exposing food to splash; ceiling and walls in basement walk-in are peeling and chipping and present contamination risk; chemicals in storage room stored next to condiments. Description: Wood log in kitchen being used with a cutting board as a prep table. Employee seen touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands. Inspection notes: Condensate from the walk-in freezer leaking onto food boxes, affecting the packaging; hot water heater is leaking, leaving a constant puddle in kitchen; mops are not being hung to air dry; cleaning of the floors is not being done at a frequency to prevent accumulation of dirt, grease and debris; premises have excessive amount of litter on lawn and around the building and parking lot; cheese and herb mixture in walk-in cooler stored with no date of opening. Restaurant's response: "We correct(ed) a lot of violations at the time. Kelly McEwan | For lehighvalleylive.comKelly McEwan | For lehighvalleylive.com, Address: 7720 Main St. Unit 7, Upper Macungie Township. Do not allow hot food to remain at room temperature. Corrected. Begin to use the optional sanitizing solution in the rinse water until the machine can be repaired and the proper temperature is reached in the final rinse water. "We weren't using it but it was in an area where it could be used," Petropoulos said. Sheet pan of wontons observed on top of open trash can.. Food/ beverage contact surfaces, such as coffee pots, must be washed in the wash-rinse-sanitize method. Corrected. As examples, he pointed to rules to keep canned goods off the floor, even if theyre closed, and the need to keep racks for glasses, even if empty of glasses, on a shelf rather than on the floor. |Login, City of Allentown - 435 Hamilton Street - 610-439-5999, Authorities, Boards, Commissions & Councils, Allentown Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps (AVMRC), Sexually Transmitted Disease/HIV Prevention, Non-profit Temporary Food & Distribution Application, Pop-up & Seasonal Temporary Food Application, Food Service Violation Ticket Appeal Request. Open containers and tubs of various food products (tofu, shredded greens, etc.) All rights reserved (About Us). ", "It was just like petty stuff," he continued. -Egg rolls and chicken in the refrigerator next to the front counter, and food stored in the walk-in cooler are stored with no covering or a covering that is not placed properly to fully cover the food. He also said some requirements, such as wrapping all silverware, aren't enforced in other inspection jurisdictions. Local laws regulate how frequently these inspections take place, and what specific items the inspectors look for, but, in general, environmental health inspectors check that safeguards are in. Evidence of roach feces on walls on food boxes, etc. Disclaimer: According to the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Laboratory Services division, "inspections are a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. "Nearly all recorded violations were corrected immediately on the spot during an initial 2018 inspection, and all others were corrected for a follow-up inspection, which was completed promptly and which Torre passed with flying colors. Black mold-like residue on wash sink nozzle. And sometimes they can correct health inspectors' findings: Bishop said the violation for cheese being out too long didn't take into account that McDonald's cheese is made differently from cheeses more commonly available. Use this sink only for hand washing. This will show the violations from the last inspection, the comments from the inspector and give you an idea why that violation is important. Lehigh Valley restaurant inspections: February 25-March 3 Results of food safety inspections in Lehigh and Northampton counties for the week of Feb. 25 to March 3. -Observed on the Coca-Cola freestyle soda dispenser that the syrup nozzle is coated. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Address: 3400 Airport Road, Hanover Township (Lehigh County). That would had been a cause to immediately shut down the restaurant in my opinion.". Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley Wood paneling is being used as a splash guard at one of the preparation tables. An employee must pass a class in food safety. Since then things are significantly different now that were fully staffed., Address: 4128 W. Tilghman St., South Whitehall Township, Description: Management lacking in food safety documentation, including license renewal and parasite destruction records for sushi fish. A health inspector in Harrisburg checks a bar. -Food Employee observed donning single use gloves without a prior hand wash. Walk-in freezer drain not functioning, stalagmite-like ice infiltrating bagged food. Davis also has decades of experience with inspections conducted by the Easton Board of Health at his Pearly Bakers Alehouse. -Raw shelled eggs stored directly above produce in the walk-in refrigerator. Disclaimer: According to the Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Laboratory Services division, inspections are a snapshot of the day and time of the inspection. Rearrange these items. Cockroach and rodent droppings were observed in the kitchen area underneath bags of rice and behind the refrigerators.. -The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Floor area of the food facility is extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Here are the restaurant inspections for Wayne County in July -The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.. -The slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. -Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the reach-in and walk-in coolers, is not being date marked. Restaurant inspections: 8 Lee County restaurants earn perfect scores Here are the results of food safety inspections in Lehigh and Northampton counties for the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 3. . A health inspector goes through a kitchen.Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media file photo. Silicon glue and WD-40 were observed in the active kitchen area stored next to to-go containers and above food product. Foods not stored at proper temperatures. Listed compliance status with retail food license requirements is as of Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. This guy just caught us from left field. -The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Employees not properly washing hands; handwash sink not easily accessible. The inspections cover restaurants, cafeterias, food markets, processors and other food establishments. Product must be thawed in a refrigerator or under cool running water that is 70F or below. To read full reports on each inspection, visit. There are other violations not listed here that are classified under Good Retail Practices. Visit the link above to see the full list of violations among all categories. Address: 2960 Center Valley Parkway, Upper Saucon Township. -Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation. Check out the latest inspection report on restaurants and retail food facilities across the state. Erie County restaurant inspections for April 7-13, 2022. Restaurant response: Everything identified by inspectors has been corrected, owner Eddie Lozano said, though he added that perhaps they should have been fixed faster. PA Dept. of Agriculture The inspections listed here are those that fall under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, as well as those county and local health departments that have elected to post results in the departments statewide inspection database. A list of local health departments is also available here. Restaurant's response: "We regret that any initial health inspection report completed during 2018 was not up to our high standards at Torre, where we have always been in compliance with state health inspection standards," corporate chef Christopher Heath wrote in an email. of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection database. The inspections cover restaurants, cafeterias, food markets, processors and other food establishments. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. And we asked the restaurants with the most violations (20 or more) what they've done to fix the problems cited. -Refrigerated, ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety foods such as raw, cut produce, raw cut meats, sliced cheeses, etc, located in the walk-in refrigerator and held more than 24 hours is not being marked with the date it was opened. Description: Ice machine in basement and also food shelves are directly under sewage lines and subject to contamination. Lehigh Valley restaurant inspections: Dec. 15-21 - Chicago Tribune Winstons West Indian & American Restaurant. 845 Linden ST Allentown, PA 18102. Grill and fryer dirty with food debris and encrusted grease. Mold and food residue seen on juice machine. Response: Messages left for a person in charge were not returned. That, Palmer says, shows that they're making progress. Restaurant's response: Multiple calls were not returned by deadline. Dennys worked to correct all of the previous violations and passed the most recent inspection on December 2, 2019, the Dennys Corporate PR Team also said in response to an inquiry from lehighvalleylive.com. Restaurant's response: "None of them was any health issue or they would've closed the restaurant," owner Winston Barnes said. If you're dining and see something questionable -- say, insects or vermin, cleaning supplies on a serving surface like a salad bar, or animals in the serving area -- you can call the Pennsylvania Agriculture Department at 866-366-3723 or fill out an online complaint form on the department's consumer protection page. Feb. 10, 2023 LOS TAQUITOS MEXICAN FOOD BIG MARTINEZ II INC (3305 LEE BLVD) Feb. 10, 2023 RED SOX JET BLUE PARK MAJOR LEAGUE KITCHEN (11500 FENWAY SOUTH DRIVE) Feb. 10, 2023 HIGHLAND WOODS GOLF SNACK STOP (9100 HIGHLAND WOODS BLVD) Feb. 10, 2023 HEIDI'S GERMAN RESTAURANT . Soap not available at handwash sink. Restaurant inspections: Lehigh Acres restaurant accrues 33 violations Inspection notes: No detectable concentration of chlorine in the solution in which the wiping cloths were stored; individual was observed eating in the kitchen; paper towel dispenser at the hand sink at the front service counter was empty; cutting board was not sanitized after being washed; fruit flies were observed in the kitchen. Inspection notes: Bag of sugar chewed through with mouse droppings inside; live roaches; two dirty slicers; equipment on wooden blocks; pizza box containers directly on the floor; exterior door propped open. Response: Efforts to reach a manager were unsuccessful. A cooler that wasn't maintaining temperature of 40 degrees was scheduled for repair, but led to two re-inspections in the meantime. Restaurant inspections | Department of Public Health & Environment Source: Pennsylvania Dept. They ran the gamut from the gross (roaches, mold) to the mundane (missing hair nets, mops stored incorrectly) and the odd (a wooden log in a kitchen). There are stained ceiling tiles throughout the facility. Hood dirty, grease filters missing. "It's just some minor stuff. That means multiple people on every shift are watching for possible issues, Palmer said. But they are the Department of Health so were going to respect them and respect their wishes. Grisafi also noted in an interview, Weve fixed everything for them. Inspection reports of food facilities in Allentown are available for public access on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website; this website works best with Google Chrome. Product was discarded. Restaurant's response: Owner George Draklellis said that numbers don't tell the whole story; some places may be inspected multiple times a year depending on what health department has jurisdiction (he said Allentown checks his diner three or four times), which can mean more violations. Crab meat and lobster meat not labeled as imitation on menu. Inspection notes: "Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by" non-compliant inspection Nov. 1, 2018; roach infestation both live and dead and observed on counters, bain-marie and various equipment; evidence of roach feces on walls, on food boxes, etc. ", Rachel Sonnenshine | MLive.com file photo. Address: 6896 Hamilton Blvd., Upper Macungie Township. Lee County inspections: 9 restaurants, 1 food truck ace reports -The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the PA Food Code as evidenced by incorrect responses to food safety questions. Food thermometers not available or easily accessible. At least once a year, Erie County Department of Health officials inspect all restaurants and stores that sell unpackaged food. Response: Franco Grisafi, the owners son, said turnover in the inspector ranks led to a new focus on small violations, and that his father has been in the restaurant business for 25 years. *CORRECTED*. Inspections in the Lehigh Valley's two counties had a compliance rate of more than 93 percent in 2018, according to department statistics. There were various things that had been neglected. McHugh also noted the company plans to completely remodel the location in 2020. REPEAT VIOLATION FROM MULTIPLE INSPECTIONS IN 2015, 2016, AND 2017. He says corporate provided documentation for the menu and other corrections were implemented quickly. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The calls were not returned. Do not store knives in the space between tables. -Food Employee observed donning single use gloves without a prior hand wash. Wash hands prior to donning single use gloves. Inspection notes: Person in charge not monitoring employee activities; knife being stored in walk-in cooler, stuck in a box of jalapeos; employee seen prepping food, wiping gloved hands on soiled rag on waist then continuing food prep; employee was observed touching his face with gloved hands then touching chips; wiping cloths are being used for multiple tasks, are being allowed to come into contact with ready-to-eat food, and are being stored in the pockets of employees;in fridge, a reusable food basket was being used as a scoop; "employees were transferring soup from a soup pot to smaller containers. -Open employees beverage container were observed in kitchen and ware-washing areas, a food preparation area. Restaurant's response: "Most of the violations were just like stupid things on our part," owner Frank Longo said, noting "most were corrected on spot. All facilities that prepare, serve, sell or give away food are required to have a food service establishment license issued by the Allentown Health Bureau. Label all food with the name of the food and the date on which it was prepared. Restaurant's response: "There were never any major violations and there was never anything that posed a threat to consumer health and safety," owner Josh Palmer said, clarifying that problems found were "all considered minor." Monitor food temperatures during cold holding. -The handwash sink behind the front counter does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 degrees F. Fix the hand sink so that water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees F is available at all times. Sometimes that has to do with the age of the building or other unexpected delays, but Lozano said he and his staff plan to be make corrections more quickly following inspections. Post a sign at this hand sink. Inspection notes: "Extremely" dirty floor; certification not posted in public view; accumulated dust, dirt and food residue around sink area; duct tape used to seal gaps on counter areas is frayed and peeling; some prepackaged foods missing labels. Employees not wearing hair restraints. Inspection Type: Regular. It can be difficult. This sink shall only be used for hand washing and must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. PrimoHoagies to celebrate new Perkiomenville location with free hoagies -Ice machines were observed to have a dark mold-like residue on corners of ice chutes. I'm 51 years old and I've been doing this since I was 16. Label all food with the name of the food and the date on which it was prepared. Walk-in cooler shelves lined with cardboard inhibiting the air flow circulation. Some fish and imitation seafood are misbranded. Additionally, a soiled dust pan was stored along side cans of beans in the dry storage area. Date mark TCS foods. The city tells me I got to do it, I got to do it, he says. Food prep workers not wearing hair/beard nets or hats. Retail Food Inspection Reports - Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture -Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours is not being date marked. Chicken was reheated. -Knives were stored in between prep tables. The violations listed here are those that are classified as Foodborne Illness Risk Factors and Public Health Interventions, which can result in illness if not corrected. Lehigh County; State & Federal Representatives; City Budget; Home Rule Charter & Code; Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; . throughout facility; several food products in the ice cream area, kitchen, walk-in cooler area stored open with no covering; observed kitchen cooking equipment with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. Door from kitchen to outside was propped open with no screen; gaps in basement door not protecting against insects or rodents. Additionally, a food employee reported placing a cutting board on top of the sink and using it as a work station. All violations were corrected within 48 hours," owner John Pittas said by email. Response: A manager deferred to the corporate office, which did not return a call or email seeking comment. -Several items, such as various house made sauces, were observed being stored, uncovered, in the main kitchen walk in cooler. Restaurant inspections The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) publishes inspection reports for restaurants, fast food operations, delis, markets, cafeterias, convenience stores and other types of retail food establishments we or our delegated county partners have inspected. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Rubber scapula utensils used for cooking are deformed and misshapen from heat, and are not durable under normal use. Buildup of grease and old food on kitchen equipment. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. To read full reports on each inspection, visit. Restaurant's response: A manager said he had to check with ownership before commenting; no response by deadline. throughout facility. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Floor needs cleaning throughout kitchen.. Response: Owner Jonathan Davis said hes run Muellers for five years and 2019 was the first time he ran into trouble with inspections, and also notes he had a new inspector from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture who came from inspecting meatpacking plants in Philadelphia. Product was promptly reheated. Address: 4128 W. Tilghman St., South Whitehall Township. PDF Application Packet for Retail Food Facilities -The deli slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. -Interior of soda gun nozzles at both bar areas; a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Inspection notes: Assorted foods in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering; assorted foods such as cheese, cooked meat, eggs were held at 47-50 degrees Fahrenheit in the prep unit on cookline, rather than 41 degrees or below as required; deli slicer observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch; handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by cleaning equipment in sink and not accessible at all times for employee use. Results of food safety inspections in Lehigh and Northampton counties for the week of March 25-31. . -Chicken was held at 116-123 degrees F, in the a hot holding cabinet, rather than 135 degrees F or above as required. Employees failed to wash hands, lacked hair and beard nets. Sette Luna registered 21 violations in its first inspection Feb. 2, 2018, and dropped that to seven in a follow-up inspection a week later, the last one on record. Inspection notes: Employees were not following procedures of keeping food safe, shown by the mishandling of raw meat products and also raw chicken by not refrigerating and mixing with ready-to-eat foods; chicken that was delivered was left on a table and had already been recorded as reading 61 degrees, indicating the chicken was not 41 degrees or lower at the time of delivery within the past three hours; cutting board and prep table that was being used to cut food on had food residue on that was not something that was currently being cut; employees were observed placing gloves on their hands after arrival, but not washing their hands first; room off the food storage room is "full of unused equipment and scrap metal has never been cleaned, and presents a harborage area for insects and vermin"; four cases of juice concentrate marked to be kept frozen until use were at room temperature for an undetermined length of time. Restaurant owners and managers told us that a vast majority of the problems uncovered are minor, things that can and often were corrected on the spot or at least fairly soon after. Peter Litos, the new owner, said he immediately addressed old problems like the location of the ice machine and food shelves. Gap in rear door could allow access for insects or rodents. Cloth towels may not be used as a food contact surface. -Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, is not being date marked. Source: Pennsylvania Dept. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Display cooler not maintaining temperature. "Numerous open plastic bus tubs of raw and/or cooked items stored directly under rusty corroded steel racks with easily observable adhering dried food product on bottom of rack directly over open tubs. Missing parasite destruction records. -Various kitchen knife blades, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Inspection notes: Lack of active managerial control regarding proper reheating operations; build up of spilled food, brown congealed oil on the floor under the fryer line; hand sink at the sushi bar has minimal hot water due to failing ring or valve; numerous food containers including shellfish stored directly on floor in walk in cooler. "A lot of violations makes it seem like there's a problem, but there may be not. Description: Dirt buildup on wash trays for cups and glasses. The device hidden in the bag's lining was a circular compound, about 3 inches in diameter, that had two fuses and powder concealed in wax paper and plastic wrap, according to the criminal complaint. -Observed a shelf near the rear of the store where anti freeze and window washing fluid were stored above Ensure, a food product. There was nothing major," said manager Pete Venardos, noting violations were addressed "within a week. Hot held items must be stored above 135F. I'm in compliance.". Do not store food directly on the floor.". The inspections are meant to ensure customer safety in the food industry. Response: A local manager said the leadership at the restaurant has recently changed. Description: Food employees improperly washing hands as evidenced by a lack of soap and hot water at the hand wash sink. Boxes of food stored on the floor in walk-in freezer. Raw chicken stored above and aside raw pork in walk-in refrigerator. For more information on how the inspections are conducted, view a list of FAQs. Contact The COA Dept of Building Standards for further instruction. -The handwash sink located in the Starbucks counter area does not have water at a temperature of at least 100 degrees F. Facility has other convenient handwashing sinks to use while repairs are being made. A message left for a person in charge was not returned. Milk was discarded. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. That means they're working. Produce must be stored above raw chicken and beef. Food Safety Inspections for Retail Facilities with BI Visuals Business Intelligence (BI) report displaying detail and visuals for Retail facilities, inspections, and violations. Lehigh Valley restaurants with the most food safety violations in 2019