CAFE TOLA III Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED ON THE PREMISES OR SUCH A PERSON ON SITE DURING INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ON SITE OF A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Vomit and diarrhea contain millions of viral particles. One incident can contaminate entire facility and cause outbreak affecting dozens.

Written procedures required for cleaning bodily fluid events to prevent disease transmission.

Written procedure must address: Isolating contaminated area; Removing and discarding affected food; Using proper PPE; Cleaning and sanitizing with appropriate concentration; Proper disposal of contaminated materials.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED PREPARED TCS NOT PROPERLY DATE MARKED. MUST PROPERLY DATE MARK ALL TCS FOODS WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. MUST PROVIDE A PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK FROM A LICENSED PEST CO. WITH ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C) 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED AN OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP BETWEEN THE TWO DOUBLE GLASS DOORS LEADING TO THE OUTDOOR PATIO. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL BETWEEN THE TWO DOORS.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER COOKING ON THE GRILL WITHOUT A HAT/HAIR RESTRAINT. MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOODS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER COOKING ON GRILL WEARING LOOSE FITTING STREET CLOTHING. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR CLEAN, OUTER CLOTHING TO PROTECT FOODS FROM CONTAMINATION.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED CLEAN POTS/PANS BEING STORED IN THE DINING AREA WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS. MUST NOT STORE CLEAN PANS EXPOSED IN DINING ROOM.

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.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED DISPOSABLE FORKS AND KNIVES FOR CUSTOMERS AT THE CONDIMENT STATION IMPROPERLY STORED WITH EXPOSED MOUTH PIECES. MUST PROPERLY STORE PROTECTED /INVERTED.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE CARDBOARD AS A LINER FOR SHELVING AT THE DINING ROOM CONDIMENT STATION.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: BACK FLOW PREVENTOR NOT LOCATED ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. MUST INSTALL A BACK FLOW DEVICE ON THE MOP SINK.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED OPEN WOODEN BEAMS ABOVE THE DISH AND PREP AREAS. MUST PROVIDE A CEILING ABOVE THE FOOD PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS THAT IS SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING OR CERTIFICATES FOR ALL REQUIRED EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.