ALTAVISTA FOODS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED

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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILTY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE /PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH LEAKING CEILING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CELING OF SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER. OBSERVED NORTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH EXCESS FROZEN CONDENSATE. DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTENTS. MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO TESTING DEVICE ON SITE TO TEST SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLAITON 7-38-005

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED MOP SINK UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAI MOP SINK.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HOT WATER HANDLE TO MOP SINK IN DISREPAIR. MUST RESTORE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TO MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED HAND SINK NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING. REPAIR LEAK AND MAINTAIN SINK. OBSERVED SINK STOPPERS ARE NEEDED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SOUTH END WALK IN COOLER WITH BLACK MILDEW LIKE SUBSTANCE ON CEILING AND WALL NEAR CONDENSER. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND MAINTAIN WLAK IN COOLER.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ARE IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND 3 COMPARTMETN SINK UNCLEAN WITH SPLATTER. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND PREP COUNTER IN NORTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER UNCLEAN. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FLOOR OR SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH STANDING WATER. MAINTAIN CLEAN DRY FLOOR.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ARE IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND 3 COMPARTMETN SINK UNCLEAN WITH SPLATTER. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND PREP COUNTER IN NORTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER UNCLEAN. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FLOOR OR SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH STANDING WATER. MAINTAIN CLEAN DRY FLOOR.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.