BABA PITA Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS CUT TOMATOES AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE 3 DOOR PREP COOLER AND WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED CHEESE AT 51.8F, YOGURT AT 62.3F, BABA GANOUSH AT 50F, CUT TOMATOES AT 45.3F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 40# OF FOOD WORTH $100. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE HANDLE READY-TO-EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. EMPLOYEE WAS PREPARING A TAKE OUT ENTREE AND CUT THE PITA BREAD WITH HIS BARE HANDS AND ALSO ADDED CHOPPED PARSLEY TO THE DISH WITH HIS BARE HANDS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT NO BARE HAND CONTACT IS ALLOWED WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED BOTH EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED. THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA HAD A MAJOR LEAK AND CRACK IN THE DRAIN LINE AND THE REAR HANDWASHING SINK DID NOT HAVE A DRAIN LINE CONNECTED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: FOOD NOT PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION DURING STORAGE. OBSERVED LEMONS AND ONIONS STORED IN A CARDBOARD BOX TOP IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. THE CARDBOARD BOX TOP WAS USED AS A LID FOR THE CARDBOARD BOX CONTAINING RAW CHICKEN. OBSERVED A SECOND BOX USED TO STORE CHICKEN USED TO STORE MISCELLANEOUS FOOD ITEMS IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD THE FOOD AND NOT TO USE THE CARDBOARD BOXES FOR FOOD STORAGE AFTER THE RAW CHICKEN HAS BEEN REMOVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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 AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE ONLY FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS OR CONTAINERS ONLY.

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: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS, MICROWAVE, PREP TABLES, STOVE AND DEEP FRYER, FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE PREP COOLERS, MICROWAVE, PREP TABLES, STOVE AND DEEP FRYER, FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS.

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.