CARNICERIA GUANAJUATO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND COLD TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN THE COOKS AREA PREP COOLER. FOUND COOKED STEAK AT 50F, COOKED CHICKEN 45F, AND GROUND BEEF AT 44F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD HOLDING TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE CARNITAS/CHICHARRON HOT CASE IN THE REAR MEAT DEPARTMENT AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY READABLE THERMOMETER INSIDE THE CASE TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF EQUIPMENT.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED NEXT TO THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE MEAT DEPARTMENT (OBSERVED A CUTTING BOARD LOCATED DIRECTLY NEXT TO HANDWASHINK SINK). INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SPLASH GUARD TO PROTECT FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPMERNT 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED RUSTY METAL SHELVES INSIDE THE 2-DOOR BEVERAGE COOLER INSIDE THE RESTAURANT AREA. INSTRUCTED REPAINT, REFINISH, AND/OR REPLACE.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE INSIDE THE OFFICE 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: FOUND HEAVY DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON THE CEILING VENTS LOCATED OVER PREP TABLES IN THE MEAT DEPARTMENT AND INSIDE THE WOMENS RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOUND FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE/PREPARE FOOD MUST OBTAIN A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

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: FOUND FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE/PREPARE FOOD MUST OBTAIN A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

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.