ALFA FOOD MARKET & TOBACCO INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY WITH COPIES SIGNED BY EACH EMPLOYEE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED. 90 DAY GRACE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR VIOLATION #3.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO PHYSICAL BARRIER OR OTHER PROTECTION BETWEEN WAREWASHING AREA/3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND CUSTOMER AREA IN THE REAR AREA THAT PROVIDES ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A PHYSICAL BARRIER TO ACT AS A BARRIER FROM CUSTOMERS. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK NOT ADEQUATELY SEALED TO ADJOINING WALL TO PREVENT SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL 3-COMPARTMENT SINK TO ADJOINING WALL WITH WATERPROOF SEALANT TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE 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 BLOCKS USED AS SUPPORTS FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK LEGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE WOODEN BLOCKS OR REPLACE WITH A MATERIAL THAT IS SMOOTH, NON-ABSORBENT, AND EASILY-CLEANABLE 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION TEST KIT PROVIDED ON-SITE AT LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION TEST KIT FOR THE TYPE OF SANITIZER UTILIZED IN WAREWASHING AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH NO CATCH BASIN OR GREASE TRAP EQUIPPED. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH A CATCH BASIN OR AN APPROVED GREASE TRAP AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER PROVIDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE-PROVIDED COMMERCIAL REFUSE REMOVAL AGREEMENT WITH FLOOD BROTHERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER AVAILABLE FOR USE ON-SITE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(B) NO CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER PROVIDED ON-SITE. PERSON-IN-CHARGE-PROVIDED COMMERCIAL REFUSE REMOVAL AGREEMENT WITH FLOOD BROTHERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER AVAILABLE FOR USE ON-SITE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(B) NO CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.