CITGO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: FOUND PERSON IN CHARGE HAS NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.

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: FOUND NO VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE (POSTED CERTIFICATE EXPIRED ON 1/28/2023. NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER (CFM) ON SITE WHILE PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS (ITALIAN BEEF 163.2F; GROUND BEEF 150.6F AND NACHO CHEESE 139.4F). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CFM ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WITH A VALID CERTIFICATE WHEN PREPARING/SERVING TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 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: FOUND NO PROCEDURES AND SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HANDWASHING SINK BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER WHERE TCS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED. NEAREST HAND WASHING SINK IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FRONT COUNTER DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE THE HAND WASHING SINK BEHIND THE FRONT COUNTER WHERE THE FOOD IS HANDLED AND ACCESSIBLE. MUST BE PROPERLY STOCKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: FOUND EMPLOYEES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENFORCE HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: FOUND TONGS USED FOR THE TCS FOODS STORED ON THE CART. INSTRUCTED TO STORE AND MAINTAIN IN A CLEAN BIN/CONTAINER.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: FOUND STYROFOAM CONTAINERS USED FOR TCS FOODS IMPROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INVERT CONTAINERS AND MAINTAIN.

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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: FOUND THE HOSE FROM THE BEVERAGE STATION DRAINING INTO A BUCKET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HAVE HOSE PROPERLY DRAIN TO A FLOOR DRAIN AND MAINTAIN.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND MOPS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE HANGING UP FOR PROPER AIR DRYING.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FOUND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND ALL OF THE SINKS AND STORAGE RACKS IN THE DISH WASHING AREA, STORAGE AREA AND WALK IN COOLER WITH FOOD, DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT.

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: FOUND FOOD HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO PROOF THAT THEY MET THE FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE PROOF. MAINTAIN.

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 HANDLERS ON SITE WITH NO PROOF THAT THEY MET THE FOOD HANDLER'S REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL FOOD HANDLERS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE PROOF. MAINTAIN.

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.