CREMERIA SANTA MARIA, INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE. INSTD TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATE ON SITE.

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: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE HANDLING TCS FOODS (CHEESE. TAMALESS), NOR CERTIFICATE POSTED. INSTD TO HAVE MANAGER ON DUTY AND CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012 PRIORITY FOUNDATION.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HANDWASH CLEANSER AT HANDWASH SINK IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HAND DRYING PROVISION AT HANDWASH SINK IN PREP AREA NOR AT HANDWASH SINK IN REAR WAREWASHING AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. SEE ABOVE FOR VIOLATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C). PRIORITY FOUNDATION.

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.

FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE - Comments: VARIETY OF LABELED REFRIGERATED CHEESES (DIFFERENT TEXTURES OF CINCHO CHEESE, CHIHUAHUA CHEESE, COTIJA CHEESE (WHOLE AND CRUMBLED), AND TAMALES WITHOUT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. LABELS HAVE ABOVE PREMISES AS DISTRIBUTOR. ALL PRODUCT TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION AT THIS TIME. INSTD TO PROVIDE PROPER DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED FOR ALL PRODUCT. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE - Comments: UNKNOWN SOURCE OF 10 LARGE BLOCKS OF UNWRAPPED AND UNLABELED REFRIGERATED CHEESE ON DISPLAY AND OFFERED FOR SALE. UNABLE TO VERIFY SOURCE, NO INVOICES PROVIDED. ALL CHEESE DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 200LBS $1000 VALUE. CITATION ISSUED PRIORITY 7-38-005. ALL FOOD MUST BE OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE AND PROPER DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OVER 30 SMALL AND LARGE FLIES NOTED ON WALLS, CEILING, AND STORAGE BOXE IN PREP AREA , WAREWASHING AREA AND THROUGH OUT PREMISES. INSTD TO ELIMINATE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: BLACK MILK TYPE CRATES BEING USED TO STORE VARIETY OF FOOD IN WALK IN COOLER. ALSO USING UNSEALED CLAY CONTAINERS TO STORE MOLE PRODUCT. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: BLACK MILK TYPE CRATES BEING USED TO STORE VARIETY OF FOOD IN WALK IN COOLER. ALSO USING UNSEALED CLAY CONTAINERS TO STORE MOLE PRODUCT. INSTD TO USE PROPER FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS THAT ARE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE.

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.