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

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: FOUND TWO OF THREE EXPOSED HAND WASH SINKS NOT MAINTAINED. HAND WASH SINK FILLED WITH METAL AND PLASTIC CONTAINERS AT FRONT DRIED FOOD SELF SERVICE AREA AND SECOND HAND WASH SINK AT BUTCHER AREA FILLED TO RIM WITH MULTI-USE UTENSILS, DUST PAN, AND DIRTY BUTCHER KNIVES. UNABLE TO ACCESS FOR HAND WASHING, INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE SAID ITEMS AND MAINTAIN EXPOSED HAND WASH SINKS FOR HAND WASHING PER CITY CODE ONLY. CRITICAL 7-38-030 ISSUED.

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: All food should be properly protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation. FOUND OPEN CONTAINERS OF READY TO EAT FOODS: DRIED SALTED FISH, DRIED CHINESE PORK, DRIED SHRIMP, DRIED SNAILS, CHINESE VEGETABLE (ROHLRABI) WITH RED SAUCE, DRIED LILY USED FOR CHINESE SOUPS, AND SPICY CHINESE VEGETABLE (ROHLRABI) FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE WITH NO SNEEZE GUARD, COVER, AND OR LIDS. ALSO, NO TONGS OR UTENSILS FOR CUSTOMERS TO HANDLE SAID ITEMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL TONG AND OR UTENSIL FOR CUSTOMER SELF SERVICE OF FOOD ITEMS. MANAGER PROVIDED COVERS FOR DRIED FOOD ITEMS AND REMOVED CHINESE (ROHLRABI) AND DRIED PORK FROM SALE AT THIS TIME. SERIOUS 7-38-005 (A).

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: FOUND REAR EXIT DOUBLE DOORS AT DOCK AREA NOT RODENT PROOFED NOR TIGHT FITTING, MEASURED 1/4TH INCH GAP AT UPPER LEFT SIDE OF SAID DOOR AND 2 INCH GAP UNDER SAID DOUBLE DOORS. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE TIGHT FITTING SO AS NO DAYLIGHT CAN BE SEEN AND RODENT PROOF TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY. 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.

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. PAINT RUSTY PREP TABLE BOTTOM SHELF AT BUTCHER AREA. REPLACE WORN WOOD SHELVES BY FISH TANKS BEHIND ICE MACHINE. REPLACE WORN WOODEN UTENSIL AT BUTCHER AREA. REMOVE MILK AND PLASTIC CRATES BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS ON 1ST. FLOOR, BASEMENT, AND WALK-IN COOLERS AND REPLACE WITH ADEQUATE SHELVING/RACKS. PAINT RUSTY RACKS AT FRONT UPRIGHT REFRIGERATORS.

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: CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE FOLLOWING: INTERIOR SPLASH GUARD AT ICE MACHINE, EXTERIOR/INTERIOR OF COOKING STOVE, PREP TABLES AT REAR PREP AREA, INTERIOR OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AT INNER CORNERS/SEAMS AT REAR PREP AREA, INTERIOR OF UPRIGHT REFRIGERATORS AT FRONT AREA, FOOD BINS/CONTAINERS, INTERIOR OF FREEZERS, AND PALLETS.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. REPAIR CRACKED FLOOR TILES AT PRODUCE AND BUTCHER AREA AND AS NEEDED. CLEAN FLOORS ESPECIALLY ALONG WALL BASE AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

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 REPLACE WATER DAMAGED CEILING PANELS, CLEAN SPILLS ABOVE BUTCHER AREA, AND BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT. REATTACH PANEL BEHIND COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: REPLACE LIGHT BULB INSIDE PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: REPLACE LIGHT BULB INSIDE PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.