Recent food safety inspections in Berks County have uncovered rodent droppings at one establishment and evidence of rodent activity at two others. Conducted between January 7 and January 20, 2026, these inspections were carried out by local food safety inspectors in Reading and Muhlenberg Township, as well as by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) in other areas of the county.
Inspections are a critical part of ensuring food safety and hygiene across various food vendors. Each establishment is inspected at least once a year, with additional checks triggered by ownership changes, previous compliance issues, or consumer complaints. Reports of these inspections will be made public every two weeks, allowing consumers to access information about the conditions of their local food venues.
According to the latest findings, several notable establishments were flagged for violations. At **Circle K Prime Foods Inc.**, located at **1255 Montgomery Ave., New Berlinville**, inspectors identified one violation on January 20. Two boxes of **Cheerios** were found with a best-before date of **October 12, 2025**, and three jars of **Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter** had a best-before date of **December 19, 2025**. The issues were corrected on-site.
Similarly, **Glad Tidings Church/Sacred Grounds Cafe** in **West Lawn** also received a violation on January 20 for having an employee whose Certified Food Manager certificate had expired.
At **Go Fish Seafood** in **Reading**, a violation was noted on the same day due to dust accumulation on hood vents and ceilings in the kitchen area, which was subsequently corrected.
Inspection results also highlighted establishments with no violations, such as **Hissho Sushi At Giant #6289**, **St. Columbkill Parish**, and **Virginville Grange**, all inspected on January 20.
On January 16, **Dunkin Donuts #349865** in **Hamburg** faced three violations. Issues included improper storage methods for coffee beans and excessive dust buildup on air vents, all of which were rectified during the inspection.
Notably, **Vinnie’s Pizza** in **Birdsboro** had five violations on January 15. Among these, an employee’s food safety training was not recognized as compliant with the required ANSI/CFP accredited program. Other issues included inadequate handwashing facilities and lack of proper labeling for food storage containers.
In a more serious incident, **New Holland Food Mart** in **Reading** reported five violations, including rodent droppings found in storage areas. Inspectors noted that several canned items were severely dented and past their sell-by dates.
While inspections serve to ensure that food safety standards are met, establishments labeled as “out of compliance” are provided with the opportunity to rectify their violations while remaining open for business. The goal is to maintain public health and safety standards across the food service industry.
Consumers can view the last inspection reports for any vendor online, allowing them to stay informed about the hygiene and safety practices of their favorite food establishments. Complaints regarding food safety can also be filed with the PDA, ensuring a continuous effort to uphold food safety standards in the community.
As Berks County continues to prioritize food safety, these inspections serve as both a preventive measure and a means of accountability for food vendors. The results emphasize the ongoing need for vigilance in food safety practices across the region.