Berks County Restaurants Cite Rodent and Mold Issues in New Inspections
State records show violations across 27 food establishments inspected between late October and early November, with some facilities out of compliance.
By Harper Collins ·
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors completed a series of food safety checks across Berks County during the final weeks of October and the first week of November. The reports, filed in the state database on November 4, detail specific violations found at 27 different establishments. The county uses a mixed inspection model where Reading and Muhlenberg Township have their own staff, while the rest of the county is covered by state inspectors.
The most severe findings occurred at The Bowers Hotel in Bowers, which received 11 violations during an inspection on October 29. Inspectors noted that raw chicken and shelled eggs were stored above raw beef, pork, and fish in both the refrigerator and walk-in cooler. The facility also had standing water in bar cooling equipment and excessive grease buildup behind fryers. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate food safety knowledge, leading to an out-of-compliance status.
Morgantown Diner in Morgantown faced six violations on November 3. Evidence of rodent and insect activity was found in the back kitchen area, where the facility lacked a pest control program. Inspectors observed food stored directly on the floor instead of six inches above the ground. An employee was also seen handling ready-to-eat sandwiches and pickles with bare hands. The establishment was labeled out of compliance and given time to correct the issues while remaining open.
Other establishments recorded specific sanitation failures. Jimmy G’s Beverly Hills Tavern in Sinking Spring had five violations, including black organic residue inside an ice machine and employees lacking proper hair restraints. Kinya Ramen in Wyomissing found non-food debris in a bulk sugar container, prompting the disposal of all product. At La Salle Academy in Shillington, milk past its best-by date was found in a cold hold case, and a cutting tool with duct tape on the handle was noted as difficult to clean.
Several schools and smaller vendors had minor issues. Conrad Weiser School District Middle School in Robesonia lacked usable sanitizer test strips. Tulpehocken School District Bernville Elementary had a gap in the receiving door that allowed potential entry for insects and rodents. J A Buffet in Hamburg was cited for raw squid thawing at room temperature and broken fryer baskets. Most of these issues were corrected on-site or flagged for immediate attention.
Inspections are triggered by annual schedules, ownership changes, complaints, or follow-ups on previous non-compliance. If a facility is labeled out of compliance, it must fix the violations during a return visit. The state database allows public viewing of these reports, providing details on each violation and its status. The data reflects the condition of the facilities as of the specific inspection dates listed in the reports.
The reports span from October 29 to November 3. Establishments with no violations included Bruno’s Pizza Restaurant, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and several school cafeterias. The presence of specific items like expired certificates, cracked floor grout, or improper ice storage formed the basis for most of the citations issued during this period.
