5411 EMPANADAS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS AREA BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINES UPPER WATER DISPENSER WITH A BLACK SLIME SUBSTANCE ON ICE FOR CONSUMPTION SURFACES AND WATER RESERVOIR DISPENSER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL BLACK SLIME FROM ALL AREAS, SANITIZER ALL INTERIOR OF THE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL PRE-PACKAGED BEVERAGES ON DISPLAY FOR SALE MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED WITH BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND LIST OF INGREDIENTS.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: BOX FREEZERS FILLED WITH PREPARED, FROZEN EMPANADAS STORED IN THE REAR WASHROOM HALLWAY WITH PUBLIC ACCESS MUST BE LOCKED, PROTECTED DURING STORAGE FROM PUBLIC CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: ALL FOOD PREPARERS, HANDLERS WITH BEARDS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE BEARD RESTRAINTS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: ALL STORED BOXED ITEMS AT THE FRONT PREP AREA MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED WOODEN SERVING PLATES IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPS, CRACKED AND DEEP CUTS IN WOOD. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED WOODEN SERVING PLATES IN POOR REPAIR WITH CHIPS, CRACKED AND DEEP CUTS IN WOOD. MUST REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.