Chester County health inspectors found six violations at the Aramark-run cafeteria inside Mary C. Howse Elementary School in West Chester during a Monday, Oct. 5, inspection.

The violations at the school on West Boot Road included broken hot-holding equipment, missing sanitizer test strips and no hand-washing signs in the kitchen or employee restroom, MyChesCo first reported Oct. 6.

A Traulsen hot-holding cabinet and a Cleveland steamer were both out of order. Inspectors told the facility to repair or replace the equipment, or remove it if it is no longer needed. A separate unused hot-holding cabinet was also flagged for removal.

Test strips used to measure sanitizer concentration at the three-compartment sink were missing an indicator strip and discolored. Inspectors directed staff to replace them.

Inspectors also required a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins in the employee restroom.

The Chester County Health Department noted that a mop sink had been removed during a recent renovation. Inspectors gave the school until Friday, Oct. 9, to either install a new indoor mop sink with department approval or give kitchen employees access to the nearest mop sink in a custodial closet.

The West Chester Area School District board's Aug. 24 agenda included change order items for Mary C. Howse renovations, indicating the school was undergoing active construction around the time the mop sink was removed.

Howse Elementary enrolled about 474 students in grades K through 5 during the 2023-24 school year, according to federal education data. The district served 12,109 students across 17 schools that year. Aramark operates the cafeteria under a food-service contract with the district.

Three other Aramark-run WCASD cafeterias inspected the same day passed without violations: East Bradford Elementary, East Senior High and Hillsdale Elementary.

The Chester County Health Department noted that an inspection reflects conditions observed at a specific date and time and may not represent a facility's long-term food-safety record. No public response from Aramark or the West Chester Area School District appeared in available records as of publication.

Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at a food facility can file a confidential complaint at chesco.org/5843. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment can call the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.

The next WCASD board meeting listed on the district's meeting schedule is Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Spellman Education Center, 782 Springdale Drive, Exton.