In a recent series of inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, numerous food establishments were evaluated for compliance with health and safety standards. These evaluations covered various aspects such as cleanliness, proper storage practices, employee hygiene, and overall facility maintenance. Among the inspected locations were restaurants, bakeries, mobile food facilities, and social clubs. The results varied from commendable performances to significant infractions necessitating immediate corrections.
On April 11, an inspection at Foltz’s Pretzels in Lebanon revealed that the handwashing sink was obstructed by personal items, preventing its use by employees. This issue was promptly resolved by clearing the area. Similarly, American Legion Post #559 faced challenges with spoiled food items and leaking coolers, which were discarded and repaired accordingly. Meanwhile, Ancestor Coffeehouse Coffee Truck and Candy-rama both passed without any noted violations.
Caruso’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria encountered a minor infraction where staff members did not wear appropriate hair restraints during preparation activities. Shawna’s Boujee Bakes required several improvements, including acquiring necessary sanitizing equipment and ensuring the functionality of the handwashing station. St. Gertrudes maintained exemplary standards with no reported issues.
Black Diamond Restaurant addressed concerns regarding microwave cleanliness and improper storage practices swiftly. However, El Jibarito Cafeteria & Bakery received a failing grade due to multiple critical violations, including inadequate handwashing facilities, unsafe food storage, and insufficient knowledge of food safety protocols among personnel. Golden Lebanon corrected minor residues within their ice machine, while You Vs. You Fitness Studio demonstrated flawless adherence to regulations.
B&A Paradise Pizza and Dairy Queen exhibited pristine conditions with no violations noted. Hilltop Cafe implemented proper thermometer storage methods effectively. M&B Pizzeria Restaurant tackled rusted shelving, pest control measures, lighting deficiencies, and other operational shortcomings efficiently.
Speedway corrected outdated product markings and ensured regular cleaning schedules for non-food contact surfaces like milkshake machine arms. Cookies Cupcakes and More LLC focused on maintaining spotless microwaves and clean floors beneath preparation tables. Frog’s Hollow Tavern dealt with accumulated dirt inside microwaves, ice machines requiring attention, greasy hood filters, standing water issues in coolers, and unhygienic knife storage areas.
Perserverance Fire Co. improved knife cleanliness, replaced damaged ice scoops, scheduled hood filter cleaning, and cleaned counter-mounted can openers. Italian Oven On Wheels replaced stained cutting boards. The Manor Cafe enhanced self-service signage clarity, cleaned cabinets, managed wiping cloth storage properly, removed unauthorized beverages from preparation zones, and addressed caulking deterioration around debris sinks.
Pucillo’s Pizza & Subs transitioned ownership smoothly without encountering any violations. Wendy’s undertook extensive renovations addressing grease accumulation on fryer hoods, time-controlled hazardous foods management, sticker labeling procedures, deep kitchen cleans, and relocated spray bottles containing chemicals away from food areas.
Overall, these inspections underscored the importance of consistent vigilance in upholding high sanitary standards across all types of food service operations. While some businesses excelled, others identified areas needing improvement, reinforcing the necessity of ongoing education and enforcement efforts to safeguard public health.