AFRICAN SUPERMARKET & LIQUOR Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: 5 BAGS OF CENTRELLA BRAND WHITE RICE ON DISPLAY FOR SALE FOUND WITH MAGGOTS INSIDE THE BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL OF THIS BRAND NAME OF RICE FROM SALES FLOOR. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: SMALL DISPLAY CASE USED TO STORE CUT WATERMELON NOT COLDING AT PROPER TEMPERATURE. AIR TMPERATURE RECORDED AT 55.1F. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL FOOD ITEMS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A).

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: CUT MELONS FOUND AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 57.5F. ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE STORED AT 40 DEGREES OR BELOW. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM SALE. CRITICAL VIOLATION. 7-38-005(A). 5LB VALUUED AT $10 DISCARDED.

Ill food workers cause 70% of foodborne outbreaks. Proper reporting prevents transmission of Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, and other serious diseases.

All food employees must understand and follow health reporting requirements and food safety responsibilities.

Employees must: Report illness symptoms and exposures; Be excluded/restricted when ill; Understand their role in preventing foodborne illness; Follow proper hygiene practices; Have signed health policy on file.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: IMPROPER PEST CONTROL NOTED ON PREMISES. 20 RAT DROPPINGS OBSERVED ON PREMISES IN THE REAR AREA NEAR HOT FOOD PREP AREA WHERE REMODELING IS TAKING PLACE. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS, PROPERLY SEAL UP ALL OPENINGS IN FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS, AND REQUEST VISIT FROM PEST CONTROL COMPANY. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-020 SERIOUS.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CERTIFIED FOOD SERVICE MGR ON PREMISES WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED OR PROVIDED AT TIME OF THIS INVESTIGATION WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS(ITALIAN BEEF AND NACHOS WITH MEAT) WERE BEING PREPARED AND/OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012(A).

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: THE FOLLOWING PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOTED 3-28-14 ON REPORT # 1385219: -32- MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE BROKEN GLASS ON SNEEZE GUARD AT SANDWICH PREP STATION & ADD PROPER SNEEZE GUARD AT HOT HOLDING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER TO PROTECT FROM CUSTOMERS,LOWER DOOR AT PRE-PACKAGED FOODS DISPLAY UNIT IN POOR REPAIR,WORN CUTTING BOARDS.-34-MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRI FROM FLOORS ALONG WALLBASES THROUGHOUT.MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED & MISSING FLOOR TILES WHERE NEEDED-33- MUST CLEAN GREASE & FOOD DEBRI FROM PIPES OF EQUIPMENT,FRYER,MEAT SLICER,REACH IN COOLERS ,PREP COOLERS & FREEZERS,GRILL,PREP TABLES,SHELVING UNITS AT SERVICE COUNTER,UNUSED EQUIPMENT.-35-: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE DAMAGED & STAINED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT,DAMAGED WALL NEAR LIQUOR COOLER ON SALES FLOOR & HOLES IN WALLS IN MIDDLE PREP AREA AT EQUIPMENT,LOOSE & MISSING WALLBASE TOILETROOM & REAR STORAGE AND WHERE NEEDED.MUST CLEAN WALLS THROUGHOUT OF FOOD DEBRI.MUST SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPES LEADING INTO WALLS & CEILINGS.-38-MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE MISSING VENTILATION COVER IN REAR TOILETROOM,FILTERS AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT.-40-MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETERS FOR ALL COOLERS & PROBE FOR FOOD. NON COMPLIANT VIOLATION SERIOUS 7-42-090.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: ABATED.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: ABATED.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: ABATED.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: ABATED.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST REPAIR ALL WALLS THROUGHOUT WHERE HOLES AND DENTS ARE PRESENT, AND CLEAN AND/OR PAINT ALL WALLS WHERE STAINS AND DIRT ARE PRESENT. CLEAN ALL DIRT AND DEBRIS FROM LIGHT SHIELDS WHERE PRESENT.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: EXPOSED HNDSINK FOR REAR FOOD PREP AREA HAS BEEN REMOVED WHILE REMODELLING THE REAR STORAGE AND REAR WASHROOM AREAS. MUST RE-INSTALL THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE DESIGNATED AREA AS SOON AS THE OTHER WORK IS COMPLETED.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: ABATED.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: ABATED.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: ABATED.

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.