BEST CHOICE ORIENTAL GROCERY, INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. FOUND COOKED FISH INSIDE FRONT REFRIGERATOR INSIDE INDIVIDUAL CONTAINERS OFFERED FOR SALE AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF 55.4F. NO TIME/TEMPERATURE LOGS PROVIDED. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY COOL HOT FOODS FROM 140F TO 70F IN TWO HOURS AND 70F TO 40F IN FOUR HOURS. MANAGER VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED SAID FOOD ITEMS, APPROXIMATE AMOUNT 5LBS, APPROXIMATE VALUE $50.00. CRITICAL 7-38-005 (A) 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.

SOURCE OF CROSS CONTAMINATION CONTROLLED I.E. CUTTING BOARDS, FOOD HANDLERS, UTENSILS, ETC - Comments: All food shall be protected from contamination and the elements, and so shall all food equipment, containers, utensils, food contact surfaces and devices, and vehicles. FOUND RAW FISH, RAW CHICKEN, RAW BEEF, AND RAW PORK STORED NEXT TO AND CO-MINGLING WITH EACH OTHER AT DISPLAY CASE AT FISH PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY SEPARATE ALL FOOD PRODUCTS WITH PARTITION AND CONTAINERS TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION OF SAID FOOD PRODUCTS. CRITICAL 7-38-005 (A). MANAGER REMOVED ITEMS FOR SALE AT THIS TIME.

These activities introduce saliva and contaminants into food areas, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses to customers.

Food employees must not eat, drink, or use tobacco in food preparation areas.

Eating, drinking, tobacco use only in designated areas; Closed beverage containers with straw allowed in some areas; Proper tasting using clean utensil each time; No personal items in food prep areas.

FOOD PROTECTED DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Comments: All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation. FOUND FROZEN FISH, SHRIMP, AND BEEF INSIDE REFRIGERATORS WITH NO COVERS, FOUND OPEN DRY SAUSAGE, DRIED FISH, ASIAN FOOD PRODUCTS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE WITH NO COVER, LID, NOR SNEEZE GUARD TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION. OBSERVED CUSTOMERS HANDLING DRY FISH WITH BARE HAND CONTACT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COVER, LID, OR SNEEZE GUARD TO PROTECT FOODS FROM CONTAMINATION AND PROVIDE UTENSILS FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVE OF OPEN FOOD PRODUCTS. SERIOUS 7-38-005 (A) ISSUED.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. FOUND 1/4 INCH GAP UNDER OVERHEAD DELIVERY DOOR AND 1/2 INCH GAP UNDER FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE TIGHT FITTING AND RODENT PROOF SAME SO AS NO DAYLIGHT CAN BE SEEN. OUTER OPENINGS NOT PROTECTED. INSTRUCTED TO UPDATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK, PROVIDE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, AND MAINTAIN. SERIOUS 7-38-020 ISSUED.

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.

DISH WASHING FACILITIES: PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED, MAINTAINED, INSTALLED, LOCATED AND OPERATED - Comments: FOUND ALL THREE OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS NOT MAINTAINED. FOUND THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS BEING USED TO STORE PAPERS, CRATES, STOCK ITEMS, NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR DISH WASHING AND NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SAID ITEMS, DETAIL CLEAN SAID SINKS, OPERATE PROPERLY TO WASH, RINSE, AND SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS, AND MAINTAIN SAME. SERIOUS 7-38-030 ISSUED. DISH WASHING FACILITIES NOT MAINTAINED.

Inadequate facilities prevent proper cleaning and sanitization of equipment.

Warewashing facilities must meet design and operational requirements.

3-compartment sink with drainboards; Mechanical dishwasher with proper temperatures; Test strips; Thermometers; Adequate size.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: A separate and distinct offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each Minor violation that is not corrected upon re-inspection by the health authority. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #26244 ON 05/18/09 BY #399: #31 MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT/ UTENSILS AND STORE UPSIDE DOWN. #32 MUST PAINT RAW WOOD AND RUSTY SHELVES WITH NON-TOXIC PAINT. #33 MUST CLEAN HOOD CANOPY STOVE, WALK IN FREEZER. #34 MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS IN COOKING AREA, MUST REPAIR HOLES AT FLOOR, MAINTAIN, AND DETAIL CLEAN IN BUTCHER AREA, #36 MUST INSTALL LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS IN BASEMENT AND 1ST. FLOOR THROUGHOUT. MUST INSTALL LIGHT IN REAR PREP. SERIOUS 7-42-090 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN HAND SINK AND PREP TABLE AND HAND SINK AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DRAIN RACK AND OR DRAIN BOARD AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINKS, INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR CEILING SECTIONS IN BASEMENT AND REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING PANELS.

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: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKS AT FAUCET AND HANDLES AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

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: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKS AT FAUCET AND HANDLES AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK.

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.