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Pennsylvania restaurants fail health inspections over rodent droppings and expired food

From rodent droppings in snack aisles to expired milk on shelves, Pennsylvania's latest health inspection reports reveal shocking violations. Will these businesses clean up their act?

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
The image shows chopped vegetables on a wooden cutting board with the words "food safety...
The image shows chopped vegetables on a wooden cutting board with the words "food safety responsibility" written in the middle. The vegetables appear to be chopped into small pieces and are arranged neatly on the board. The text is written in a bold font, emphasizing the importance of food safety.

Pennsylvania restaurants fail health inspections over rodent droppings and expired food

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.

Dollar General Store # 3797, 881 B Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, Complaint, March 21. Fail. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. The rear storage area was observed to be disorganized, with mixed and improperly arranged items. The area was not clean to sight or touch. Accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris was observed beneath refrigeration units. In the front-end area, near the cash registers, multiple gray containers holding different types of products were observed. These were disorganized and affected the visibility of products located on the gondola behind them. The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Main entrance door of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Snack Display Area (Near Main Entrance): Observed a strong, objectionable odor consistent with rodent excreta. Accumulation of debris, including food residue (crumbs and crushed snack products), was observed beneath the bottom shelf of the gondola. Numerous to count, small, dark, pellet-like materials consistent with possible rodent excreta were observed beneath the gondola base and on the first (lowest) shelf, where a higher level of activity was noted. These materials were observed in close proximity to packaged snack products. Pet Food Area: In the pet food section, similar conditions were observed, including the presence of broken and scattered pet food (e.g., Purina) on shelving and floor areas. Too many to count small, dark, pellet-like materials consistent with possible rodent excreta were observed throughout this area. Packaged Food Gondolas (Canned and Boxed Goods): Observed gondola units containing packaged foods, including canned and boxed products, were observed to have similar conditions. Pellet-like materials consistent with possible rodent excreta on lower shelving and in product storage areas associated with these displays. Front-End / Checkout Area (Candy Display): In the front-end area near the cash registers, where candy and snack items are displayed, a limited number of pellet-like materials consistent with possible rodent excreta were observed on and around the display shelving. The presence in this area was less extensive compared to the snack and pet food sections. Wall in the storage back area, has a hole, or is broken and in need of repair.

Naya Oriental Market LLC, 732 Colonial Rd., Harrisburg, Follow-up, March 21. Pass. Exit door located in the storage back area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

R.ie Tea, 6005 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, Change of Owner, March 21. Pass. No violations.

Halifax Mart Inc, 200 Market St., Halifax, March 19. Pass. Ceiling tiles damaged and in need of replacement above three-bay sink and utensil storage. Observed nine 14oz Fairlife whole milks with Best-By-Date of 03/13/26 on the shelf for customer sale. Corrected on site and discarded.

Laliguras International Food Inc, 5490 Derry St., Harrisburg, Change of Owner, March 19. Pass. 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 prep kitchen area, is not being date marked. Food Facility Person in Charge not able to provide documentation that open box of dried/smoked chicken are from an approved source. Product removed from freezer unit. Observed cut vegetables being held in Bain Marie unit (unit not operational) ; Time in lieu of temperature not being used as a control for potentially hazardous foods and food product being held for more than 4 hours. Product discarded during inspection. Observed numerous shelving unit throughout facility, with an accumulation of dust, dirt and old food residue/ debris and in need of cleaning. Observed ceiling tiles missing/soiled locate within retail area and in need to be replaced at this time.

Metz Group @ The Hershey Company - Technical Center, 1025 Reese Ave., Hershey, Follow-up, March 19. Pass. No violations.

Moore Desserts By Julie, 1130 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, Opening, March 19. Pass. No violations.

Piazza Sorrento Bar & Grill, 16 Briarcrest Square, Hershey, March 19. Pass. Observed package of raw beef stored above boxes of onions and potatoes on shelf in walk-in cooler with potential for cross contamination. Corrected on site. Observed food employee personal use medicine stored in drawer with kitchen knives in prep area. Corrected on site. Observed cracked/broken floor tiles in ware washing area puddling water and is no longer a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Observed clean food storage containers on shelving in ware washing area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

Hershey Food Mart, 1158 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, March 18. Pass. No violations.

Staples #1240, 710 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, March 18. Pass. No violations.

Penn Hotel Sports And Raw Bar, 600 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey, March 17. Pass. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Bulk low temp chlorine sanitizer was empty. Corrected on site. Observed cooking equipment (Southbend oven), in cooking area, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation on bottom interior surface. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Observed magnetic knife holder with accumulation of caked on static dust on nonfood contact surfaces.

Zip Zap-shayona 11 LLC, 638 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, March 17. Pass. No violations.

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