The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has posted an updated list of recent Retail Food Inspection Reports for restaurants and food handlers in Berks County. Inspections are a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. Violations are recorded but are often corrected on the spot prior to the inspector leaving the facility. For more information on retail food inspection reports, visit: agriculture.pa.gov
On February 16, 2024, during an inspection at Mark’s Sandwich Shop located at 123 W Main Street, Kutztown, PA 19530. Food employee personal belongings observed in front kitchen area on cases of food items. Corrected.
During the inspection conducted on February 16, 2024, at Hazel’s Cafe at Mayfield on Noble at 544 Noble Street, Kutztown, PA 19530. Pre-packaged cookies were observed offered for sale without an indication that it came from an approved source. Facility removed the cookies from sale.
During the inspection conducted on February 17, 2024, at Carvel Store #2172 located at 3320 N 5th Street, Reading, PA 19605. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Corrected on inspection. Food dispensing utensil in chocolate crunchies and pink colored topping pieces observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food.
On February 20, 2024, an inspection was conducted at Alfredo’s Pizza at 846 Main Street, Bally, PA 19503. All shelving in kitchen area with cardboard lining shelves that is not a smooth easily cleanable surface and must have cardboard removed. Corrected onsite.
On February 21, 2024, an inspection was carried out at Tavern at Centre and Main, located at 5 Centre Avenue, Topton, PA 19562. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration for quat sanitizer at the three compartment sink. New food facility does not yet employ a certified food employee.
On February 21, 2024, an inspection was conducted at Saucony Creek Brewing Company, located at 15032 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Fryer baskets located in fryer area are not in good repair or condition. Several insert pans observed in the clean dish storage area with old label residue and pieces of plastic wrap on containers. Observed clean glasses in bar area stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Corrected. Working containers (spray bottles) of cleaner / sanitizer were stored on the same shelf with clean dishes in the bar area. Corrected.
On February 23, 2024, an inspection was conducted at Mikura Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar located at 840 N Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Several violations were noted during the inspection. The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate control of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed visible evidence, such as droppings, of rodent contaminated foods in the walk-in cooler. Products were thrown away. Food (heads of cabbage) observed in the walk-in cooler moldy and adulterated. Product was thrown away. Multiple food items in the walk-in cooler and kitchen area stored open with no covering. Food dispensing utensils without handles observed stored in various containers of dry goods. Observed dirty take-out containers in the kitchen area. Containers were thrown away. Multiple non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility have an accumulation of grease/dirt/old food debris. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by a large box and was not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Outside grease handling unit and surrounding area was dirty and possibly attracting insects and rodents. Also observed other items of trash stored in the area of this unit. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the server area. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent and insect activity in most areas of the facility, including in the walk-in cooler. Working containers (spray bottles) of cleaner / sanitizer were stored on the same shelf with food and single service articles in the sushi bar area. Corrected. Observed insecticides or rodenticides in the kitchen and dry storage areas, not labeled by the manufacturer as approved for use in a food facility.
On February 26, 2024, an inspection was conducted at Tipsy Times at 2295 E Main Street, Douglassville, PA 19518. Three violations were identified during the inspection. Wall on door frame in the kitchen area leading to dining area, is made of wood, and is not durable, smooth, non-porous, non-absorbent. The floor / wall juncture in the kitchen area by the door leading to the bar and the exit door is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Exit door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.
On February 26, 2024, an emergency response inspection was conducted at B2 Bistro & Bar, located at 701 Reading Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611, following a recent fire in the building. Due to smoke condition in the bar from exterior fire all opened food and beverage products are to be discarded. Corrected prior to arrival. Due to fire in the exterior rear of the facility causing smoke to enter bar area all equipment and utensils are to be cleaned and sanitized. Corrected prior to arrival.
Several other restaurants were inspected during this time period with no violations reported: The Nesting Box in Kempton, Jimbo’s Steak & Hoagies in Muhlenberg Township, The Salvation Army in Boyertown, Duck Donuts in Wyomissing, Boyertown Area Multi-Service in Boyertown, Kutztown SD Elementary School in Kutztown, Heart & Hearth Deli & Smokehouse in Kutztown, and Tobias Frog in Reading.
