CEDARS MEDITHERRANEAN KITCHEN Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012

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: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010

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: OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES AND SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMINTING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HOT WATER(71.8F)AT HAND WASHING SINK IN SECOND FLOOR WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 100F WATER FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED FRONT HAND WASHING SINK NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND MISSING DRAINPIPE IN FRONT PREP/BAR AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED OVER 20 MICE DROPPINGS ON TOWEL INSIDE FRYERS, 10 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON BOTTOM OF PREP TABLE, 10 MICE DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON FLOOR IN CORNER NEAR OVEN IN SECOND FLOOR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING FAUCET ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN FIRST FLOOR DISJ WASHING AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLE IN UNISEX WASHROOMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT, ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN/

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED LIGHT SHIELD MISSING IN FIRST FLOOR DISH WASHING AREA AND SECOND FLOOR PRODUCE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE 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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

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.