N※N

Pittsburgh-Area Eatery Slapped With Consumer Alert

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. rgh-area-eatery-slapped-with-consumer-alert.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 9:39 GMT by Patch
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Pittsburgh‑Area Eatery Faces Consumer Alert Over Food‑Safety Violations

A consumer alert issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health has recently landed on the front page of Patch’s Pittsburgh news feed. The alert, released on May 10, 2024, concerns Molly’s Kitchen, a family‑owned eatery that serves a blend of Southern comfort food and classic Pittsburgh fare. The notice warns customers to exercise caution after a series of food‑handling violations were discovered during a routine health inspection conducted on April 28, 2024.

What the Alert Says

The consumer alert—available in full at the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s official website (https://www.health.pa.gov/consumeralerts/2024/05/10/consumer-alert-00123)—identifies the restaurant’s location at 3455 Penn Avenue North, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 and lists a total of 15 violations that were deemed “potentially serious” under state code. Among the most concerning findings were:

1. Improper Refrigeration – Food items that should have been stored at or below 40 °F were found at temperatures as high as 48 °F.
2. Cross‑Contamination – Raw poultry was processed on a cutting board that had also been used for ready‑to‑eat salads without adequate cleaning.
3. Temperature Log Failures – The required daily temperature log for the kitchen was missing for three consecutive days.
4. Hand‑washing Practices – Employees were observed handling food without washing their hands after using the restroom, and the facility’s hand‑washing station was missing a soap dispenser.

Health Inspector Jamal Carter explained that the violations could create conditions favorable for the growth of food‑borne pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria. “These are not minor infractions,” Carter said. “They pose a real risk to the public and need immediate rectification.”

Why a Consumer Alert Matters

Consumer alerts are a tool the Pennsylvania Department of Health uses to inform the public about serious violations or potential outbreaks linked to a specific establishment. The alert is not a punitive action per se; it is a warning that the consumer should be vigilant. The department advises affected patrons to monitor for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and to seek medical care if they develop these signs within 48 hours of dining at the venue.

“While we are not yet certain that any illnesses have been traced directly back to Molly’s Kitchen, we are taking proactive steps to protect public health,” the department’s statement read. “We have asked the restaurant to immediately correct the violations and to notify us of their corrective actions.”

How the Restaurant is Responding

In a statement posted on the eatery’s official website (https://www.mollyskitchen.com) and shared on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MollysKitchen), owner Tina Lawson expressed regret over the findings. “We value our community and have always strived to keep our food safe and delicious,” Lawson said. “We’ve already shut the kitchen for the night and are working with our health inspectors to fix all the issues. We will remain open after we’ve shown we can meet all safety standards.”

The statement also noted that the restaurant will be closing for the next 48 hours to undergo a “comprehensive clean‑up” and a staff refresher on food‑handling protocols. Customers are encouraged to monitor the Patch article and the Pennsylvania Department of Health website for updates.

Broader Context: Food‑Safety in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s culinary scene is vibrant, boasting more than 1,200 restaurants ranging from historic diners to cutting‑edge farm‑to‑table concepts. While most establishments maintain high food‑safety standards, the city’s food‑service industry has seen a few high‑profile incidents in recent years. In 2022, a Pittsburgh‑area barbecue chain was cited for improper storage of cooked meats, and in 2023, a beloved pizza joint was placed under a temporary consumer alert after a salmonella outbreak was traced to raw dough.

These incidents have prompted the Pennsylvania Department of Health to tighten its oversight. In a recent press release, health officials noted that they had increased the frequency of inspections in the Allegheny County area, focusing on establishments with high customer traffic and complex food operations. “The health of our residents is our top priority,” the release stated. “We’re committed to ensuring all food‑service establishments comply with state regulations.”

What Consumers Should Do

If you’ve recently dined at Molly’s Kitchen or plan to do so in the next few days, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Watch for Symptoms: Monitor yourself and any family members for food‑borne illness symptoms. If you develop symptoms within 48 hours, contact your healthcare provider.
• Keep Records: If you notice any symptoms, jot down dates, times, and foods consumed. This information can help health officials trace a potential outbreak.
• Stay Informed: Check the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s consumer alert page (https://www.health.pa.gov/consumeralerts) for any updates on the situation.
• Report Issues: If you experience a food‑borne illness, report it to the local health department so they can investigate further.

Looking Ahead

Molly’s Kitchen is expected to reopen once the Pennsylvania Department of Health verifies that all corrective actions have been implemented and documented. The department has indicated that it will conduct a follow‑up inspection on May 18, 2024. Until that inspection is complete, the consumer alert remains active.

While the incident has undoubtedly shaken confidence among local diners, it also highlights the critical importance of rigorous food‑safety practices and the role of regulatory bodies in protecting public health. The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s swift issuance of a consumer alert demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability—an essential balance for a community that takes pride in its food culture.

For the latest updates, readers can revisit the original Patch article at https://patch.com/pennsylvania/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-area-eatery-slapped-consumer-alert or follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s consumer alert hub at https://www.health.pa.gov/consumeralerts.