EL MILAGRO GROCERY Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

SOURCE SOUND CONDITION, NO SPOILAGE, FOODS PROPERLY LABELED, SHELLFISH TAGS IN PLACE - Comments: FOUND TAMALES INSIDE THE DISPLAY COOLER FOR SALE . MANAGER STATED SHE RECEIVED NO RECEIPT FROM THE VENDOR WHERE SHE BOUGHT IT. UNKNOWN SOURCE OF ORIGIN. MANAGER DISCARDED THE SAID PRODUCT WORTH $6.00, TOTAL 2 LBS. CITATION ISSUED CRITICAL 7-38-005(B).

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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NO EXPOSED HAND SINK. MANAGER STATED THEY ARE USING THE SMALL 2 COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE PREP AREA AS AN EXPOSED HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE ONE OF THE SINK OF THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AS AN EXPOSED HAND SINK AND PROVIDE PAPER TOWEL AND SOAP. MANAGER PROVIDED THE PAPER TOWEL AND SOAP AND PUT THE NOTE "FOR HAND WASHING ONLY" WHILE I WAS TYPING THE REPORT.CITATION ISSUED CRITICAL 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: FOUND EVIDENCE OF RAT DROPPINGS IN THE BASEMENT OVER 50 TOTAL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN,REMOVE THE DROPPINGS AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. ALSO NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK UNDER CERTIFIED PEST CONTROL COMPANY. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS,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 CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE WHILE PREPARING AND HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (COLD CUTS AND CHEESE ). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ATTEND SANITATION CLASS AND BE CERTIFIED UNDER CITY OF CHICAGO. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED AND INSTALLED - Comments: NO WASHBOWL SINK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A WASHBOWL SINK OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE WASHROOM. PROVIDE WITH PAPER TOWEL AND SOAP, AND WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. CITATION ISSUED SERIOUS 7-38-030.

Poor ventilation causes condensation that can drip contaminants into food.

Adequate ventilation required in all areas.

Mechanical ventilation where needed; Hoods over cooking equipment; Filters cleaned regularly; Air flows from clean to less clean areas.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL AND SANITIZE THE INTERIOR WALLS AND ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR OF THE DISPLAY COOLER FOR THE EGGS, MEAT AND CHEESE; INTERIOR WALLS OF THE 3 DOOR COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

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: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT, IN THE REAR AREA BY THE 2 COMPARTMENT SINK AND BEHIND ALL DISPLAY CASES WITH CERAMIC. GIFT SUPPLIES AND PARTY SUPPLIES AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: MUST CLEAN IN DETAIL THE FAN GUARD COVER, REMOVE THE RUST, INSIDE THE 3 REACH IN COOLER (WITH HEAVY DUST BUILD UP AND RUSTED.) CEILING PANELS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES WITH PEELING PAINT AND SOME ARE DAMAGED. MUST REPLACE.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: FOUND GAS STOVE WITH NO VENTILATION/HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE THE STOVE OR INSTALL A VENTILATION WITH HOOD.

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 THERMOMETER AND MUST BE VISIBLE INSIDE THE 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND CHEST FREEZER.

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 THERMOMETER AND MUST BE VISIBLE INSIDE THE 3 DOOR REACH IN COOLER AND CHEST FREEZER.

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.