Rita's Italian Water Ice

2124 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Frozen Desserts

Last inspected: May 8, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Rita's Italian Water Ice appears in inspection records three times, starting in 2023. On May 8, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.

Across the inspection history, “insects, rodents & animals not present” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Philadelphia restaurants. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 8, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

Certification by accredited program, compliance with Code, or correct responses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The food facility operator shall be the Person in Charge or shall designate a Person in Charge and shall ensure that a Person in Charge is present at the food facility during all hours of operation. Person in Charge arrived during time of inspection.

46.101

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Food residue and debris observed on interior surfaces of water ice freezers. -Food residue observed on external surfaces of toppings containers. New Violation.

46.714

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Sticky residue observed on floor in back and front food preparation areas. New Violation.

46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: Gap observed under back door, outer opening in the food facility does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. New Violation.

46.922(e)(f)

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

Inspector notes: Damaged surfaces observed on cabinetry doors in front food preparation area, surfaces is not smooth, easily cleanable and resistant to pitting, cracking, or scratching. New Violation.

46.671

Apr 29, 2024

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Dust observed under shelving in basement. New Violation.

46.981(a)(b)(c)(g)(n)

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: Gap observed under back door, outer opening in the food facility does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. New Violation.

46.922(e)(f)

Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned

Inspector notes: Dust observed in vents. New Violation.

46.981(b)(i)

May 25, 2023

Reinspection

2 critical violations. 5 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 7 violations

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the front preparation area. Person in Charge took corrective action and provided paper towels.

46.981(h)

Toxic substances properly identified, stored & used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Working containers in chemical storage area, used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Person in Charge took corrective action and labeled bottles.

46.1002

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector notes: Working bulk food (sugar) ingredient storage containers are not labeled with the common name of the food. New Violation.

46.282

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons

Inspector notes: Gap observed under back door, outer opening in the food facility does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. New Violation.

46.922(e)(f)

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Food debris observed on interior surfaces of storage cabinet. -Accumulation of ice in freezer.

46.714

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Idle mop observed stored on utility sink floor and not elevated to facilitate air drying.

46.981(f)

Person in Control of premises has not posted "No Smoking" signs. (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Person in Control of premises has not posted "No Smoking" signs. Person in Charge took corrective action and provided signage.

10-602(5)(a)(.1)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rita's Italian Water Ice last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Rita's Italian Water Ice on file is from May 8, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

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

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

Has Rita's Italian Water Ice's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Rita's Italian Water Ice means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Rita's Italian Water Ice inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Rita's Italian Water Ice is inspected around two times per year on average.

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