EL NOPAL BAKERY Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Bakery

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING, AND OPERATING HOURS. 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE/ SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR REVIEW DURING THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED BROKEN THERMOMETERS OUTSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER AND MISSING THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLING UNITS LOCATED IN THE BAKERY PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Inadequate lighting prevents detection of contamination and pests.

Adequate protected lighting required in all areas.

50 foot-candles at prep surfaces; 20 foot-candles at 30 inches in storage; Shielded bulbs over exposed food; Clean fixtures.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NO (ALLERGEN)LABELS ON PREPACKAGED DESSERT ITEMS LOCATED IN THE DISPLAY COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AS REQUIRED. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 60 SMALL MOUSE DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES... INSIDE WATER HEATING ROOM ON FLOOR AROUND EQUIPMENT, BEHIND 2 DOOR COOLING UNIT IN REAR PREP AREA NEXT TO MIXERS, SCATTERED REAR PREP AREA SHELVING ON TOP OF CUTTING BOARDS, IN REAR PREP AREA STORAGE ON FLOOR ON ROLLING CARTS AND FRONT PREP AREA COUNTERTOP. NOTED APPROXIMATELY 13 SMALL AND LARGE LIVE BLACK FLIES THROUGHOUT FRONT AND REAR PREP ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF BAKERY DISPLAY CASES, PREP TABLES THROUGHOUT, AND ON TOP OF EXTERIOR SURFACES OF MIXING EQUIPMENT.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SAID AREAS, CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE AND ELIMINATE ACTIVITY ON PREMISE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLERS WITH HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE OPERATING.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED TORN GASKETS ON 3-DOOR COOLING UNIT CONTAINING EGGS AND MILK IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED LEAK ON 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FAUCET NECK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE TOWEL USED TO MEND PIPING, REPAIR, AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED WATER-DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE FRONT PREP AREA AS WELL AS BAKERY PREP THROUGHOUT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE BURNED-OUT BULBS IN BAKERY PREP AND INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND INCREASE LIGHTING IN SAID AREA.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED MULTIPLE BURNED-OUT BULBS IN BAKERY PREP AND INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND INCREASE LIGHTING IN SAID AREA.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.