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

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: NO PROOF OF APPROVED SOURCE FOR LIVE FROGS ON SITE. BUSINESS UNABLE TO PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF SOURCE FOR LIVE FROGS OFFERED FOR SALE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE VALID PROOF OF SOURCE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005B

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE - Comments: NO RUNNING WATER ON SITE. NOTED EMPLOYEES PREPARING AND HOT HOLDING FISH AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS WITHOUT RUNNING WATER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: NOTED EVIDENCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS ON SITE. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 35 LIVE LARGE FLIES AND 20 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON SITE CRAWLING ON WALLS AND FLYING THROUGHOUT PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. ALSO NOTED APPROXIMATELY 20 RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED UNDER BASEMENT STAIRS AND IN REAR STORAGE AREAS. MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS,SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND HAVE THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY SERVICE AREAS. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020

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 IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL PACKAGED FOODS OFFERED FOR SALE.

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: MUST REPLACE ALL WORN CUTTING BOARDS THROUGHOUT PREMISES. MUST ALSO SEAL OR PAINT ALL RAW WOOD SHELVES IN WALK IN COOLER. MUST REPLACE ALL WORN FLAPS AT WALK IN COOLER AND FREEZER DOORS. MUST REMOVE PEELING PAINT FROM CEILINGS IN WALK IN COOLERS. MUST REPAIR SMALL OPENING ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR RECEIVING DOORS.

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: MUST DETAIL CLEAN ALL PREP TABLES,COOKING EQUIPMENT,COOLERS,SHLEVES AND ALL DIRTY SURFACES THROUGHOUT PREP AND DISHWASHING AREAS. ALSO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE ICE MACHINE AND THE HOOD ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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: MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT 1ST FLOOR PREP AREAS.

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: MUST REPAIR DAMAGED CEILING THROUGHOUT BASEMENT. MUST REPLACE ALL STAINED CEILING TILES ON SITE.

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: MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHT SHIELDS AND END CAPS ON LIGHTS OVER FISH TANKS IN BASEMENT.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPES UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST ALSO REPAIR THE BROKEN FAUCET HANDLE AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR THE LEAKY PIPES UNDER THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INCREASE THE WATER PRESSURE AT THE 1ST FLOOR FISH PREPARATION AREA HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR LEAK IN WALK IN COOLER IN REAR.

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: MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPES UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST ALSO REPAIR THE BROKEN FAUCET HANDLE AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR THE LEAKY PIPES UNDER THE EXPOSED HAND SINK IN THE REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST INCREASE THE WATER PRESSURE AT THE 1ST FLOOR FISH PREPARATION AREA HAND SINK. MUST REPAIR LEAK IN WALK IN COOLER IN REAR.

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.