Consumer Alert Issued For Pittsburgh-Area Restaurant

SWISSVALE, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department issued a consumer alert on Aug. 4 for Maldini's Taste of Italy Restaurant on Monongahela Avenue. The alert was lifted on Aug. 6, although some of the violations prompting it had not been remedied.

The initial inspection found:

• A fresh dead mouse on a glue board in dry storage area.

• Mouse droppings in oil buildup in a potato slicer; throughout the front counter, including floor-wall junctions; inside and under an inoperable prep unit storing cinnamon and sugar mix; shelving storing souffle sauce cups and seasoning mixes; dry storage shelving storing seasonings and pasta, and surrounding the mop sink and faucet.

• Loose bait at the basement entrance and in the basement.

• The restaurant lacked a professional pest control operator, a repeat violation.

• A plastic bag storing dry pasta that has been chewed.

• Foods held at unsafe temperatures.

The Aug. 6 re-inspection found old mouse droppings still in several locations throughout the restaurant, including the mop sink.

Additionally, an employee was observed washing attachments and putting them away with cheese and soap residue and without sanitizing. Old food an oil debris were found on the potato slicer.

Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.