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 December 5, 2024, Sprecher’s Meats, West Lawn, was inspected and found with the following violations: Trash receptacle / waste handling unit outside is not covered. Food facility does not have enough outside waste receptacles as evidenced by carcasses and waste lying on the ground.
On December 5, 2024, Smoketown Meats, Reading, was inspected and found with the following violation: Floor mats at meat cutting table are no longer cleanable.
On December 5, 2024, Rothenberger Meats, Reading, was inspected and found with the following violations: Observed bread crumb bag stored directly on the floor rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Fan guards in walk-in refrigerator are dusty. Observed dunnage rack cover on dunnage rack with food residue.
On December 7, 2024, Redner’s Quick Stop, Reading, was inspected and found with the following violations: Observed side vents on grab n’ go refrigerator with accumulation of dust. Several bottled beverage slide shelves observed to be soiled.
On December 8, 2024, New Happy Garden, Temple, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: The restaurant is listed as out of compliance. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge regarding the proper cleaning and sanitizing of cooking/food prep tools – cutting boards, knives or food storage. Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the walk-in refrigerator. Observed wet wiping cloths in cook’s area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Observed wiping cloths being used for multiple tasks, wiping food spills, working with raw animal foods. Lower storage shelves, bulk container exteriors soiled. Observed no chemical sanitizer being used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, and prior to use.
On December 8, 2024, Alebrije Mexican Restaurant, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violation: Floor tiles in kitchen are missing/cracked and are not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Floor tiles are currently under repair/replacement.
On December 9, 2024, The Salvation Army, Boyertown, PA, was inspected and found with the following violation: Observed vents with a build-up of dust and dirt throughout the kitchen area.
On December 9, 2024, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill #7552, Wyomissing, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Five fryer baskets observed with broken wires and are not smooth, easily cleanable and/or resistant to breakage. Fan guards and ceiling of walk-in cooler not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dust and debris. Floor tile and grout is observed cracked / roughened / and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface in the bar, expo, and kitchen area. This allows water and/or food debris to accumulate in these areas.
On December 9, 2024, Shelbourne Program Bingo, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available in the kitchen refrigerator. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 2-compartment sink. New food facility does not yet employ a certified food employee as required. Correct within 90 days.
On December 9, 2024, Michael’s Restaurant, Douglassville, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Multiple food items in the walk-in cooler stored open with no covering. Corrected. Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the refrigerator next to the cookline. Corrected. Observed food stored directly on the floor in walk-in freezer area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Food was held at 43°F, in the walk-in cooler, rather than 41°F or below as required. Service called placed at the time of this inspection. Observed deeply scored cutting boards on the cookline not resurfaced or discarded as required. Nonfood contact surface of the ice machine has buildup of apparent mold. Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. Floors in the front counter and walk in cooler areas are cracked / roughened / and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface.
On December 9, 2024, Carmelo’s Pizza, Boyertown, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Commercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the walk-in-cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. 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 walk-in-cooler and the cookline bain-marie, is not being date marked. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
On December 9, 2024, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Wyomissing, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Assorted foods held in an ice filled bin at the coal stove area was held at 50°F rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected items were put in containers surrounded by ice. Observed clean insert pans in the clean dish storage area stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). The handwash sink located in the bar area does not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the coal stove area. Corrected.
On December 10, 2024, Sweets by J, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the in the unisex bathroom, and kitchen area to remind food employees to wash their hands.
On December 10, 2024, Laxmi’s Indian Grille, Wyomissing, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the dishwasher and 3-compartment sink. Wire shelving units in the kitchen area have an accumulation of dirt and old food debris. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – cold water is still turned off at the handwash sink in the kitchen area due to a water leak. Mops are not being hung to air dry.
On December 11, 2024, Thrifty Hippy, Leesport, PA, was inspected and found with the following violation: Observed some cases of candy stored directly on the floor, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.
On December 11, 2024, Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the Bain Marie in the cook area. Corrected. 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 walk-in cooler, is not being date marked. Corrected. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration of the low temperature warewashing machine. Observed deeply scored cutting board on the Bain Marie in the front that is not resurfaced or discarded as required.
On December 11, 2024, Mount Penn Family Restaurant, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the refrigerator next to the cookline. Corrected. 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 refrigerator in the prep area, is not being date marked. Corrected. Observed two deeply scored cutting boards on the cookline not resurfaced or discarded as required. 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 buildup of old food residue on the nonfood contact surfaces on the soda machine in the front service area. Observed a buildup of dust on the fan grates in the walk-in freezer.
On December 11, 2024, ALDI #82, Reading, PA, was inspected and found with the following violations: Severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items observed in the canned food aisle are and intended for use or sale in the food facility. Corrected. Observed a buildup of trash and debris on the left-hand side of the walk-in cooler.
Several other restaurants were inspected during this time period with no violations reported: Hoober’s Fresh To Go, Reading, Jersey Mike’s Sub Shop, Reading, Turkey Hill Minit Market #124, Hereford, Sandstone Acres, Mohnton Pott’s Top Dog, Topton, Fleetwood Orioles Nest 23, Fleetwood, Bebe’s Kitchen, Birdsboro, Rosie’s Kitchen, Leesport, Linda’s Hoagies, Leesport, Horning’s Market of Bethel, Bethel, Coffee Corner, Wyomissing and American House, Sinking Spring.