AHJOOMAH'S APRON CORP. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED TWO FOOD HANDLERS HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. ONE FOOD HANDLER USED BARE HANDS TO PUT CUT GREEN ONIONS IN A SOUP BOWL AND ANOTHER USED BARE HANDS TO CUT PANCAKE, BOTH FOOD ITEMS WERE FOR CONSUMERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER MUST USE GLOVES OR OTHER ALTERNATIVE APPROVED METHODS WHEN HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD AND PRODUCTS. APPROXIMATELY 5LBS AT $35 VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE VENTILATION HOOD AND IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA NOT IN COLD HOLDING UNITS.THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS THAT WERE FOUND OUT OF COMPLIANCE IN THE COOLER WERE: SHRIMP, PORK, RAW FISH, RAW, BEATEN, AND HARD-BOILED EGGS, SEA FOOD MIXTURES, SQUID, POTATOES, BEEF, TOFU, RAW AND COOKED CHICKEN, BEEF AND CHICKEN BROTH, DIFFERENT TYPES OF DUMPLINGS, FRIED SEAWEED ROLLS, COOKED NOODLES. THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS WERE FOUND IN PREP AREAS AND NOT IN COLD HOLDING UNITS: CHICKEN, HARD-BOILED EGGS, AND KIMCHI. ALL MENTIONED FOOD ITEMS TEMEPERATURES RANGED 46.5F-77.0F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER COLD HOLDING FOODS MUST BE 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES.MANAGER DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 150LBS AT $200 WORTH OF PRODUCT. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED NO APPROVED VARIANCE/HACCP PLAN ON SITE FOR SPECIAL PROCESSES FOR PREPARING KIMCHI ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO STOP SPECIAL PROCESSES USED FOR PREPARING KIMCHI UNTIL VARIANCE/HACCP PLAN IS SUBMITTED TO CDPH AND APPROVAL GRANTED FROM CDPDH. APPROXIMATELY 15LBS OF KIMCHI AT $125 WORTH OF KIMCHI WAS DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE SEE COMMENTS ON HOW TO OBTAIN AN APPROVED VARIANCE/ HACCP PLAN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED.

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.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: FOUND NO VARIANCE OR HACCP PLAN ON SITE FOR SPECIAL PROCESS OF PREPARING KIMCHI ON SITE. INSTRUCTED OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AN APPROVED VARIANCE/ HACCP PLAN FROM CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005, CITATION CONSOLIDATED WITH VIOLATION #29.

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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF REFRIGERATOR AT 55.0F WITH TCS FOODS STORED INSIDE FOR SALE. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS PLACED ON UNIT. ONCE REPAIRED, EMAIL TO CDPH. MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNITS AT 41.0F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COOLING METHOD FOR BEEF THAT WAS COOKED AND IMMEDIATELY OUT INTO WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO USE PROPER COOLING METHODS TO COOL TCS FOODS IN A TIMELY MANNER, BEFORE STORING IN A COLD HOLDING UNIT. THE BEEF TEMPERATURE WAS NOT OUT OF COMPLIANCE.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED A BIN OF CHICKEN STORED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE SHELF OF A FOOD PREP TABLE AND BOWLS OF SPINACH STORED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ITEMS ON THE FLOOR AND ATLEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR.

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED 5-7 SAUCEPANS STORED IN THE MOP SINK BASIN IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/ DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM USING THE MOP SINK AS A STORAGE AREA FOR DIRTY DISHWARE.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED 5-7 SAUCEPANS STORED IN THE MOP SINK BASIN IN THE REAR FOOD PREP/ DISHWASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM USING THE MOP SINK AS A STORAGE AREA FOR DIRTY DISHWARE.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.