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

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE.

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 CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (FRESH CHEESE, SAUSAGES, TAMALES, DAIRY CREAMERS.) ARE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON THE PREMISES WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND OR SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

FOOD IN GOOD CONDITION, SAFE, & UNADULTERATED - Comments: ADULTERATED FOOD AND OBSERVED MEAT HANGING IN THE BASEMENT UNDER SEWER LINES WITH DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE MEAT. THE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY HAD THE EMPLOYEE DISCARD 5LBS OF MEAT WITH A VALUE OF $20.00. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-050(A) CITATION ISSUED.

Pests carry numerous pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus, contaminating food and surfaces.

Facility must be free of pest infestation.

No live pests; No pest droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting; Effective pest control program; Regular monitoring; Professional treatment when needed.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER INTERNAL TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT PREP COLD HOLDING UNIT, SUCH AS 3LBS OF CHEESE AT 48.5F. THE MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED A TOTAL OF 3LBS AT $25. ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF APPX. OBSERVED 100-150 OR MORE RODENT DROPPINGS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE FURNACE, BEHIND THE REACH-IN FREEZER AND CHEST FREEZER, UNDER SHELVING UNITS, UNDER ALL CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE, ON THE LANDING LEADING TO THE BASEMENT, ON THE FLOOR IN THE BASEMENT BETWEEN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CLUTTER.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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED A 1"-2" GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOUBLE DOORS. MUST MAKE DOORS TIGHT FITTING.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD CONTAINERS STORED ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN COOLER, PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY STORE AND PROTECT FOOD ITEMS FROM CONTAMINATION WHILE STORED BY ELEVATING AT LEAST SIX INCHES FROM THE FLOOR ON RAISED SHELVING UNITS.

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.