Berks food safety inspections found improper chicken, shrimp thawing, 16 violations at 1 place

Berks

Borelli’s Creperie Deli & Market, 15 Village Center Drive, Reading, March 25: no violations.

Brandywine Heights Sd Elementary School, 445 W. Barkley St., Topton, March 25: no violations.

Cup of Joy Smoothie And Acai Bowl, 474 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 25: no violations.

Giant Food #6273, 600 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, March 25: three violations. Observed brushes used for decorator icing tips in the bakery to be dirty and missing bristles. Corrected. Observed a buildup of old food residue on the spray nozzles in the produce area and on the floor, shelving in the walk in meat cooler and on the top portions of the mixer in the bakery. Observed single use containers in the produce area stored on a shelf not inverted. Corrected.

Hissho Sushi @ Giant 6273, 600 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, March 25: no violations.

New China King Restaurant, 168 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 25: one violation. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the dish/cooking area. Corrected.

Nia’s Pizzeria, 41 King’s Plaza, Oley, March 25: two violations. Facility does not have the correct type of sanitizer test strips for the sanitizer that is being used. There is an accumulation of dust/dirt on the condenser fan cover in the walk-in cooler.

Papa Johns #3074, 828b Route 100, Bechtelsville, March 25: two violations. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the employee restroom area to remind food employees to wash their hands.

Pennside Drive-In, 916 Carsonia Ave., Reading, March 25: one violation. Loose rubber door gasket observed on the lower drawer of the refrigeration unit near the handwash sink.

Rita’s Of Kutztown, 478 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 25: no violations.

Tony’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 15 N. Home Ave., Topton, March 25: seven violations. Scoop being stored in the ice machine with handle touching and/or buried beneath the ice. Corrected. Observed boxes of rolls wrapped in plastic bags stored directly on the floor in the prep/cook area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected. Time in lieu of temperature being used as a control for potentially hazardous foods, but cooked pizzas observed being held for more than 4 hours. Based on an interview with employee that stated they are held for about 6 hours. explained that 4 hours is the maximum they can be held at room temperature before they need to be thrown away. Food facility is reusing plastic souffle cups as a utensil, which is intended to be a single-service or single-use article. Corrected. The handwash sink in the kitchen/prep area was blocked by many cardboard boxes and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the cook/prep area. Corrected. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the cook/prep area. Corrected.

Acec Farm & Market, 469 Adams Hotel Road, Shoemakersville, March 21: no violations.

Hamburg Area School District Perry Elementary, 201 Fourth St., Shoemakersville, March 21: one violation. Food contact surface of two spatulas were not smooth, easily cleanable and/or resistant to pitting, cracking or scratching. Corrected, thrown away.

Rita’s Water Ice, 850 Golden Drive Suite 12, Blandon, March 21: no violations.

Camillo’s Italian Restaurant And Bar, 264 Greenwich, Kutztown, March 20: seven violations. Scoop being stored in the ice machine with handle touching and/or buried beneath the ice. Corrected. Observed boxes of rolls wrapped in plastic bags stored directly on the floor in the prep/cook area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected. Time in lieu of temperature being used as a control for potentially hazardous foods, but cooked pizzas observed being held for more than 4 hours. Based on an interview with employee that stated they are held for about 6 hours. explained that 4 hours is the maximum they can be held at room temperature before they need to be thrown away. Food facility is reusing plastic souffle cups as a utensil, which is intended to be a single-service or single-use article. Corrected. The handwash sink in the kitchen/prep area was blocked by many cardboard boxes and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the cook/prep area. Corrected. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the cook/prep area. Corrected.

Family Dollar #28416, 508 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, March 20: one violation. Nine severely dented and distressed canned items observed in multiple aisles are and intended for use or sale in the food facility. Corrected.

Heart & Hearth Deli & Smokehouse On Main, 466 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 20: no violations.

Kutztown Sd Elementary School, 40 Normal Ave., Kutztown, March 20: no violations.

Little Caesars, 502 Lancaster Ave., Shillington, March 20: six violations. Two food ingredient storage containers, in the dough prep area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Corrected. Commercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the Bain Maire, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Corrected. Cleaning agents / sanitizers used to clean / sanitize equipment and utensils are not available for use during all hours of operation. Facility does not have sanitizer available on-site. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Floor in the back ware washing area observed to be missing tiles, creating a surface that is not easily cleanable. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

Paolo’s Pizza & Restaurant, 2480 Lancaster Pike, Reading, March 20: four violations. Raw animal foods were stored above ready open containers of prepared foods in the refrigerator next to the cook line. Various containers of food stored open with no coverings. Corrected. Observed food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Observed multiple food items throughout the facility held for more than 24 hours that are not being date marked. Corrected. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in ware wash area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

Schaeffer Catering LLC Mff4 (Xpv4848), 1037 Macarthur Road, Reading, March 20: no violations.

Stark Juice, 236 W. Walnut St., Kutztown, March 20: no violations.

Bixler’s Country Meats, Leesport Farmers Market Leesport, Pa 19533, March 19: one violation. Some of the lights in the display cases have the plastic tubing but are missing the end caps.

China Hut Restaurant, 21 Franklin St., Fleetwood, March 19: two violations. Spray bottle in prep area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected. Employee personal items-purse was observed in cookline area and not stored in a designated employee storage area as required. Corrected.

Fleetwood Area School District, Middle School, 407 N Richmond St., March 19: one violation. The handwash sink in the dish area was blocked by a fan and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected.

King’s Bar-B-Que Mff3 (Xmz-6628), Leesport Farmers Market Leesport, Pa 19533, March 19: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Massimos Take Out Pizza & Grill, 100 Anna Ave., Blandon, March 19: no violations.

River Run Honey & Candies, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, March 19: no violations.

Trinity Bible Fellowship Church, 220 Main St., Blandon, March 19: no violations.

Unique Sweets And Twists, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, March 19: one violation. An insect control device (fly strip) is located in the food preparation area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and/or utensils. Corrected.

Arby’s #5229, 15506 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, March 18: one violation. Ceiling and wall by backroom ice machine was observed with excessive dust build up and in need of cleaning.

Arby’s #1878, 4901 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 18: one violation. Observed an accumulation of dirt and old food debris on the floor under some of the shelving at the drive-thru window. Corrected.

Berks CTC-East Campus, 3307 Friedensburg Road, Oley, March 18: one violation. Dishwasher dial for registering the Final Rinse temperature of the dishwasher is not giving an accurate reading. The dial indicated only 160 F & 158 F (manifold temperature), while a maximum registering thermometer that was run through the machine indicated 167 F & 170 F (at dish level).

Brandywine Heights Middle School, 200 W. Weis St., Topton, March 18: no violations.

Bruno’s Pizza Restaurant, 4340 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 18: no violations.

Comb Coffee Co., 330 W. Weis St. Suite 5, Topton, March 18: one violation. Raw shell eggs were observed stored above cartons of milk and bread in the reach in cooler and walk in cooler. Corrected.

Gabelsville Athletic Assn, 2 N. Funk Road, Boyertown, March 18: four violations. Commercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the walk-in-coolers, Bain Marie, and refrigerators and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed the fryer and the surrounding area of the fryer in the cookline area has a large build-up of grease.

Oley Valley Community Benefit Association, 3257 Friedensberg Road, Oley, March 18: no violations.

Oley Valley School District (Elementary), 3257 Friedensburg Road, Oley, March 18: one violation. Observed water leaking from the bottom of the dishwasher while it was running. There is also an accumulation of scale/debris on the floor in the area of the leak.

Oley Valley School District (Middle), 3247 Friedensburg Road, Oley, March 18: one violation. There is an accumulation of dust/dirt on the dishroom fan.

Rita’s Water Ice #340, 309 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, March 18: no violations.

Cottage Bakery & Cafe, 236 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 17: three violations. Non-food contact surface of the sprayer nozzle at the three-compartment sink was not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Corrected. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Spray bottle in dish area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical.

Exeter Twp. School District Lorane Elementary, 699 Rittenhouse Drive, Reading, March 17: no violations.

Mama Licha Mexican + Italian Restaurant, 14949 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, March 17: three violations. Tomato sauce was held at 108 °F, in the cookline area, rather than 135°F or above as required. Reheat to 165° F and put in hot hold. Correcting reheating. Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety foods prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, are not being date marked. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration

Mark`S Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 17: one violation. Two shelves below grill were observed with excessive debris.

Sajal Hot Chicken And Jyro, 164 N. Main St., Kutztown, March 17: 16 violations. The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employee did not follow proper handwashing procedure when coming into work. Food employee did not wash hands for adequate amount of time of at least 20 seconds. Corrected. Food Employee did not follow proper handwashing procedure. Food employee did not wash hands for adequate amount of time of at least 20 seconds. Corrected. All food ingredients in storage containers, in the refrigerators is not labeled with the common name of the food. Raw chicken was observed thawing in standing water in the dish area in a bowl overnight as stated by the PIC, which is not an approved thawing method. Chicken needs to be thawed under cold running water or in a refrigerator. Corrected, chicken was thrown out by PIC due to unknown time sitting out on the counter. Food when prepped at the facility is not being date marked with a discard or use by date of no more than 7 days. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in refrigerated equipment. Red bull cooler on counter holding cheesecakes and red bull cooler in dry storage holding dressings and condiments. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed cooking equipment, and cold hold equipment in the cookline area, with an accumulation of excessive food residue, grease, and debris on non-food contact surfaces. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Paper towel dispenser and/or soap dispenser for handwashing not installed by food prep / ware washing sink. The handwash sink in the cookline area being used as a food preparation sink as evidenced by observed several food containers in the sink. Corrected. -Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the cookline area. No paper towel was observed at handwash sink in the cookline area. Corrected. Wall in the mop sink area, has a hole, or is broken and in need of repair. Dirty mop water observed left in mop bucket from last night and not disposed of after cleaning was done. Employee food left out on counter in dish room overnight was observed with excessive fruit flies. Corrected, food was thrown away. Cookline area floor of the food facility is extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Floor in the dish area of the food facility is extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning. Out of compliance.

Twin Valley School District Robeson Elementary, 801 White Bear Road, Birdsboro, March 17: one violation. Observed a build-up of dirt/debris along the edge of the floor under one of the shelving units in the dry storage room.

Aplus Sunoco Market, 3123 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood, March 14: one violation. Frozen foods taken out of bulk boxes are not being labeled with the manufacturer’s expiration date.

Crab Crazy, 5614 Allentown Pike, Reading, March 14: no violations.

Daniel Boone Area Schools Amity Intermediate, 200 Boone Drive, Douglassville, March 14: no violations.

Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St., Kutztown, March 14: one violation. Ceiling vent and monitors hanging on the cookline were observed with dust and in need of cleaning.

Malizzi Cakes And Pastries, 1203 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, March 14: no violations.

Oneida Farm Market, 1879 Kline Road, Elverson, March 14: one violation. Firm selling beef tallow from a facility licensed to sell USDA meat. Firm is not licensed to produce beef tallow. Corrected.

Subway #36061, 955 Ben Franklin Highway Suite 5, Douglassville, March 14: one violation. Observed deeply scored cutting boards in the front service area not resurfaced or discarded as required.

Wendy’s #19128, 950 Crossing Blvd., Elverson, March 14: no violations.

Yellow House Hotel, 6743 Boyertown Pike, Douglassville, March 14: three violations. Two food ingredient storage containers, by the cookline area, is not labeled with the common name of the food. Corrected. Observed two deeply scored cutting boards on the cook line Bain Maries not resurfaced or discarded as required. Observed the handwash sink by the deli slicer to be separated from the wall creating a gap that is not easily cleanable.

Bad Farm, 86 Wieder Road, Kempton, March 13: no violations.

Giant Food Store #6486, 15100 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, March 13: 10 violations. Veggie wash is observed at 0 ppm at the dispenser. Enfamil nutramigen hypoallergenic infant formula with iron were observed expired on 3/1/2025. Corrected pulled from the shelf. Cardboard was observed on the shelves in the bakery walk-in cooler. This is not a smooth and easily cleanable surface. Corrected. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in hot holding equipment in deli. Corrected. Mechanical ware washing equipment in the deli was observed with a broken final rinse thermometer. Rolling cart observed with rusted shelves and used to transport boxes of food. Corrected. Exterior panel door of dish machine was observed with encrusted debris. Fan guards in the meat walk-in cooler were observed with excessive dust build up. Corrected. Underside of dish sprayer at three bay sink in produce area was observe with black organic matter. The handwash sink located in the deli area does not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F. This was measured for at least 2 minutes and water was at 68°F. Corrected. The handwash sink located in the meat area does not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F. Corrected. The handwash sink in the produce prep area was blocked by a cart and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Floor in the produce walk-in cooler was observed with excessive debris under the shelves and standing water.

Grand Central Tap Room, 45 Main St., Fleetwood, March 13: no violations.

Hissho Sushi @ Giant #6486, 15102 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, March 13: no violations.

Brecknock Elementary School, 1332 Alleghenyville Road, Knauers, March 12: no violations.

Dunkin, 1123 Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville, March 12: one violation. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in ware washing area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

Dunkin Donuts #325176, 110 E. Main St., Kutztown, March 12: one violation. Two sanitizer buckets were observed at 0PPM. Corrected.

Hipoke Ramen, 520 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, March 12: five violations. Prepared food in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering. Corrected. Food dispensing utensil in the ice bin observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Corrected. Frozen shrimp observed thawing in standing water in the 3-bay sink, which is not an approved thawing method. Corrected. Observed multiple food items not being date-marked as required in the walk-in cooler and Bain Maries. Corrected. Interior of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Observed a mold-like build up on the side walls.

Rangoli, 212 W. Lancaster Ave., Reading, March 12: one violation. Four food ingredient storage containers, in the prep area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Corrected.

Subway, 214 Crossing Blvd., Elverson, March 12: two violations. Cheese and churros were held at 50°F, in the small refrigerator in the front service area, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected. Observed a buildup of old food residue on the non-food contact portions of the self-serve soda dispenser.

Muhlenberg Township

Johnny’s Pizza, 2934 N. Fifth St., two violations. Observed food preparation where it is exposed to overhead dust. Current certificate not posted.

Reading

Dunkin Donuts A2019050, 1905 N. Fifth St. , March 21: no violations.

Nino And Sons Pizza, 301 N. 13th St. , March 21: five violations. RTE Food in the bain marie area stored open with no covering. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the bain marie, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the food prep area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area.

Amigos Pizza #382751, 2001 Kutztown Road , March 20: one violation. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the freezer, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened.

Barra Payan, 313 S. Seventh St. , March 20: one violation. Grease trap leaking onto the sidewalk.

Turkey Hill #233 43820010, 2001 Kutztown Road , March 20: no violations.

Dollar Tree Stores Inc #391362, 1130 Rockland St. , March 19: no violations.

Naked Chop Eateries LLC, 501 Upland Ave. , March 19: two violations. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the cooler, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in cooler equipment.

Ninos Pizza 366122, 515 Richmond St. , March 19: one violation. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the freezer, is not being date marked.

8 Town Puerta Del Sol, 949 Elm St. , March 13: two violations. -Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the cooler, is not being date marked. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in * equipment.

Nicks Cafe 20410500, 1050 Chestnut St. , March 13: one violation. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the freezer and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened.

Skylight Cuisine & Bar, 600 Penn St. , March 13: six violations. Commercial Food in the prep area stored open with no covering. Food employee observed not wearing any gloves while handling food. Commercially processed ready-to-eat food, located in the food prep, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Hood system is not adequate to remove heat and/or grease, as evidenced by condensate and/or grease collecting on the walls, ceilings, and fixtures. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the * area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the * area. Facility needs to have a more frequent pest control program to control the sightings of pest/insects.

Topher’s Cafe 366071, 247 N. 10th St. , March 13: no violations.

Brooklyn Place, 1140 Rockland St. , March 12: three violations. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the bain marie, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Table, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing.

Mikes Sandwich Shop 19417550, 1751 Centre Ave. , March 12: no violations.

Mikes Tavern 364552, 135 Exeter St. , March 12: three violations. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the bain marie, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Table, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing.

Riverside Beneficiary Assoc. 57817420, 1742 Pear St. , March 12: four violations. Commercially processed ready-to-eat food, located in the refrigerator and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperatures of food are not available or readily accessible. Three compartment sinks behind the bar need to be cleaned daily/regularly. Exhaust fans need to be cleaned.

Rockys Pizza 66604450, 445 Spring St. , March 12: three violations. Commercially processed ready-to-eat food, located in the cooler, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Install paper towel dispenser at handwashing sink near prep table, also in the rest rooms. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

Saucony Creek Brewing Co, 100 S. Seventh St. , March 12: four violations. Food in the prepping area stored open with no covering. Commercially processed ready to eat food, located in the food prep, and held more than 48 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Thermometers in cooler at prep table was not available. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

UPDATES

The following reports for the period of Feb. 26 to March 11, 2025, were added to the state’s database after March 13 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Berks

Central Beneficial Association, 1409 Park Place, Laureldale, March 11: no violations.

Matts Steaks West Lawn, 57 W. Wyomissing Blvd., West Lawn, March 11: one violation.

Muhlenberg School District Middle School, 801 Bellevue Ave., Laureldale, March 11: no violations.

Source: Berkshire mont