Rita's Italian Water Ice

1511 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Frozen Desserts

Last inspected: Jun 16, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Rita's Italian Water Ice three times, with records going back to 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Jun 16, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly five violations earlier on.

Across the inspection history, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

Rita's Italian Water Ice's latest score of 86 sits above the Philadelphia average of 72. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jun 16, 2025

Reinspection

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: -Grimes observed along floor-wall junctures in food preparation areas. -Residue and dust observed on ceiling surfaces.

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

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

Inspector notes: -One reach in refrigerator observed inoperable. -Shelving surfaces below preparation table is not in good repair.

46.671

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Food debris observed on interior surfaces of chest freezers. -Mineral buildup observed on warewash sink drain board.

46.714

Aug 29, 2024

Reinspection

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: -One reach in refrigerator observed inoperable.

46.671

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Accumulation of ice and food debris/residue observed on interior surfaces of chest freezers. -Debris observed on shelving under preparation tables.

46.714

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: -Debris and food residue observed on floors and walls in food preparation area (behind/under freezers and work tables). Sticky residue observed on floor surfaces. -Residue and dust observed on ceiling surfaces. -Dust observed under wire storage shelving.

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

Jun 28, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 5 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 7 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: The quarternary ammonia concentration in the sanitizing solution of the 3-bay warewash sink was 50-100 ppm, rather than 150 ppm as stated on the manufacturer's use directions. Sanitarian advised on proper ppm concentrations. New Violation.

46.674(d)(e)

Certification by accredited program, compliance with Code, or correct responses

Inspector notes: No person shall operate a food establishment that handles, prepares or serves non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food who does not have present and in the employ of the food establishment at all hours of operation at least one (1) person with a valid Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate issued by the Department. Application emailed. New Violation.

46.103

Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: An insect control device located in water ice preparation area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and / or utensils. Corrective action was taken and fruit fly trap was removed.

46.922(c)

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

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

Inspector notes: -Milk crates observed used for elevation. -One reach in refrigerator observed inoperable. New Violation.

46.671

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: -Accumulation of ice and debris observed on interior surfaces of chest freezer located adjacent from warewash sinks.

46.714

Physical facilities installed, maintained, & clean

Inspector notes: Idle mop observed in bucket and not elevated to facilitate air drying. New Violation.

46.981(f)

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 Jun 16, 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, “food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable” 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?

Yes. Recent inspections at Rita's Italian Water Ice have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Rita's Italian Water Ice means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

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