Fred's Water Ice

5349 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Frozen Desserts

Last inspected: Sep 4, 2025

Score

High Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at Fred's Water Ice, the earliest from 2023. The latest inspection on file is from Sep 4, 2025. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around eight violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “insects, rodents & animals not present”, which has been cited three times.

The city-wide average sits at 72, which Fred's Water Ice's 47 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 4, 2025

Routine

3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector notes: Potentially hazardous ready to eat food, prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, was not date marked. New Violation.

46.385(b)

Food separated & protected

Inspector notes: Observed uncovered ice cream and water ice stored inside chest freezers. The person in charge was instructed to take immediate corrective action.

46.281

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the food prep area. The person in charge was instructed to take immediate corrective action. New Violation.

46.825(a)

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: Observed toilet fixtures and floor unclean to sight and touch.

46.981(b)(i)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Observed idle mop inside utility bucket. ** After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment or supplies.

46.981(f)

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: Visible physical evidence of live flies activities observed in the food prep area and food service area. New Violation.

46.981(k)(l)

Personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: Food employees observed not wearing or wearing ineffective hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard restraints. New Violation.

46.152

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector notes: Moist wiping cloths observed lying on 3 basin sink and not stored in sanitizing solution. New Violation.

46.304

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used

Inspector notes: Observed defective cold units in the retail area and a defective walk-in cooler.

46.671

Aug 30, 2023

Reinspection

8 minor violations.

View 8 violations

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: - Flies observed throughout facility * Prep Area, Warewashing Area, Defective Walk in Cooler (Dry Storage)

46.981(k)(l)

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector notes: - Knife wedged between Microwaves in Prep Area New Violation.

46.302

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used

Inspector notes: - Unused cold units in Rear Storage Area and Hallway (small white) - Defective Walk in Cooler * Dry Storage - Domestic Microwave * Please label microwave if it's for staff only - Seal Prep Area hand sink to wall

46.671

Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, & used; test strips

Inspector notes: - QAT Test Strips needed for Blue Tablets - Chlorine Test Strips needed for Bleach - Food facility lacks sanitizer test strips to monitor sanitizer concentration. New Violation.

46.634

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: - Defrost deep freezers throughout facility - Defrost Walk in Freezer

46.714

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector notes: - Slow drainage at Prep Area hand sink New Violation.

46.805

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector notes: - Leak observed at pipes in Warewashing Area New Violation.

46.822

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: - Mop observed inside utility bucket New Violation.

46.981(e)(m)

Jul 26, 2023

Routine

2 critical violations. 6 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 8 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: - No soap observed at restroom hand sink (COS) - No paper towels observed at restroom hand sink (COS) * PIC added soap and paper towels

46.941(a)-(e)

Food obtained from approved source

Inspector notes: Food facility Person in Charge not able to provide documentation that covered fruits/toppings foods are from an approved source. New Violation.

46.211

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: - Flies observed throughout facility * Prep Area, Storage Areas, Defective Walk in Cooler New Violation.

46.981(k)(l)

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used

Inspector notes: - Raw wood used to elevate sugar in Rear and Front Storage Areas New Violation.

46.522

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: - Utility bucket observed inside utility sink with dirty mop water New Violation.

46.714

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: - Non self closing restroom door New Violation.

46.922(d)

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: - Repair holes in wall in Ware Washing Area - Repair hole in floor of Clerk Station/ Prep Area New Violation.

46.901

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: - Inadequate lighting in Rear Storage Area - Inadequate lighting in Water Ice Empty bucket Storage Area/Closet - Inadequate lighting in Walk in Walk in Cooler New Violation.

46.943

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Fred's Water Ice last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Fred's Water Ice on file is from Sep 4, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Fred's Water Ice?

Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents & animals not present” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Fred's Water Ice.

Has Fred's Water Ice's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Fred's Water Ice have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Fred's Water Ice means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.

How often is Fred's Water Ice inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Fred's Water Ice is inspected roughly once per year on average.

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