BROWN BAG SEAFOOD CO. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED SANITIZER BUCKET STORED INSIDE HAND SINK NEAR REGISTER, MAKING IT INACCESSIBLE FROM WASHING HANDS. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT ALL HAND SINKS ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE. BUCKET WAS RELOCATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030 (c) CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED UNCOVERED CONTAINER OF RAW SALMON STORED ABOVE READY-TO-DRINK BEVERAGES IN STAND UP COOLER NEAR REGISTER. FACILITY MUST REORGANIZE RAW PROTIENS WITH READY-TO-EAT/DRINK ITEMS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: THE FOLLOWING TCS ITEMS MEASURED AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE LOCATED IN THE STAND UP COOLER ACROSS REGISTER, REACH-IN PREP-LIN UNIT, AND WALK-IN COOLER. TEMPERATURE OF RAW SALMON MEASURED AT 53.2F, RAW CHICKEN AT 54.5F, SPINACH 70F, RAW SHRIMP AT 54.6F, AND CRAB MEAT AT 60.3F. AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $197.00 AT AN ESTIMATED WEIGHT OF 39 POUNDS WAS DISCARDED ON SITE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 SMALL/BIG BLACK FLYING INSECTS NEAR REAR EXIT, DISH, AND PREP AREA. FACILITY MUST ELIMINATE ALL LIVE SMALL/BIG BLACK FLYING INSECT ACTIVITY IN THE FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (a) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: SINGLE USE CONDIMENT CUP WITHOUT A HANDLE, IS USED AS A SCOOP FOR DRY SEASONINGS. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH A SCOOP THAT HAS A HANDLE.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: FOOD STORAGE AREA NEXT TO HAND SINK MUST BE PROTECTED BY CONTAMINATION. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN SINK AND FOOD STORAGE AREA SO THAT FOOD IS NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH, DUST OR OTHER CONTAMINATION

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: CLEAN DISHWARE STORED ON TOP SHELF IN DISH/PREP AREA HAS FOOD CONTACT SURFACE FACING UPWARD. FACILITY MUST INVERT DISHWARE CLOSEST TO CEILING.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CRATES USED AS SHELVING AND STORAGE CONTAINERS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE STORAGE CONTAINERS AND SHELVING UNITS THAT IS EASY TO MONITOR DEBRIS UNDER AND ON CONTAINER SURFACES, CONTAINER/SHELVING MUST BE SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, DURABLE, AND NON-ABSORBENT.

Poor design creates areas that harbor bacteria.

All surfaces must be designed to be easily cleanable.

Smooth, non-porous surfaces; Free of cracks and crevices; Easily disassembled; Accessible for cleaning.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: AN IRREVERSIBLE REGISTERING TEMPERATURE INDICATOR/TEST STRIPS IS NOT PROVIDED AND READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR MEASURING THE UTENSIL SURFACE TEMPERATURE FOR THE HOT TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE-SENSATIVE THERMOMETER/TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: ALL GENDER RESTROOM LACKS A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EACH RESTROOM.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE RECEPTACLES HEAVILY SOILED WITH GARBAGE ACCUMILATION AROUND DUMPSTERS ON GROUND. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (b) CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE RECEPTACLES HEAVILY SOILED WITH GARBAGE ACCUMILATION AROUND DUMPSTERS ON GROUND. FACILITY MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020 (b) CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.