Health Department Orders Pittsburgh Eatery Closed

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Health Department has ordered the closure of the Pitt Market, on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, for various health code violations.

An Oct. 9 inspection found that publicly accessible restrooms open directly into the warewashing area.

The inspector said that to minimize the potential for the spread of disease between the toilet facility and food preparation areas, the restrooms need to be completely enclosed and have tight fitting, self-closing, solid doors.

The doors of restrooms are not permitted to open directly into any food preparation, warewashing, or food storage area, except where alternate means have been taken to protect against such contamination such as double doors or negative air-flow.

The eatery also was found to be operating without a permit - this despite a message from the health department that stated the following:

"Thank you for your plan submission. Please not that until plans are reviewed and a successful pre-operational inspection is conducted, this facility is not permitted to be open and operating. Opening prior to permit issuance may result in civil penalties and/or closure of the facility."

A "closed" placard is posted at an establishment when an imminent health hazard is identified at a restaurant or kitchen or if it has been operating without proper permits. It is unlawful to operate a food facility with a "closed" placard.

See the entire inspection report here.