CITGO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITIES DO NOT MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 51.3F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS SUCH AS MILK AND CHEESE. THE CONDENSER UNIT HAD ICE ON IT AND WAS TURNED OFF. WATER WAS DRIPPING FROM THE CEILING OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 40F. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AND 1 DOOR PREP COOLER. OBSERVED HAM AT 45.5F, MILK AT 45.2-49.2F, EGGS AT 49.9F, BOLOGNA AT 51.5F, HOT DOGS AT 50.3F, CHEESE AT 50.8F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 100# OF FOOD WORTH $150. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A.

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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED UNHYGIENIC FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE. OBSERVED AN EMPLOYEE TAKE MONEY FROM CUSTOMERS AND THEN PUT ON A PAIR OF GLOVES TO PREPARE CHIPS WITHOUT WASHING THEIR HANDS FIRST. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED ON PROPER HANDWASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE - Comments: NO HOT WATER PROVIDED AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. THE HOT WATER TEMPERATURE AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WAS AT 76F DURING THE INSPECTION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN HOT WATER TEMPERATURE ABOVE 110F AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA IS NOT MAINTAINED. THE DRAIN LINE IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE HANDWASHING SINK AT ALL TIMES. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED LIVE FRUIT FLIES AND HOUSE FLIES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA, OFFICE, WASHROOM AND RETAIL AREA. APPROXIMATELY 50 LIVE FRUIT FLIES AND 10 HOUSE FLIES WERE OBSERVED. ADDITIONAL PEST CONTROL SERVICE IS NEEDED TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE PEST ACTIVITY. ALSO OBSERVED FLY STRIPS ATTACHED TO THE CEILING IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FLY STRIPS FROM THIS AREA. MUST PROVIDE IPDH LICENSE # FOR PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND A PROPER PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK. SERIOUS VIOLATION 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.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PRESENT WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (GROUND BEEF AT 154.2F) IS BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED OR SERVED. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

* INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS - Comments: NO INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY POSTED ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010B.

Unpasteurized products can contain dangerous pathogens.

Only pasteurized dairy and eggs in certain situations; no prohibited foods.

Pasteurized eggs for recipes not fully cooked; Pasteurized dairy products; No home-prepared foods.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAPPUCCINO MACHINE AND REPLACE THE MISSING TOP LID.

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: CLEAN THE FLOOR OF THE FOOD PREP AREA. REPLACE THE MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NO HOT WATER WAS PROVIDED TO THE MOP SINK. REPAIR THE VALVE OR HANDLE SO THAT MOP SINK HAS RUNNING HOT WATER.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE OF ALL COOLERS.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER INSIDE OF ALL COOLERS.

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.