EL ORIGINAL CHAVAS TACOS, INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO 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: NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR NECESSARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN POLICY ON SITE TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT COULD OCCUR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. NO 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS WITH NO DISCARD OR USE BY DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL ALL TCS FOODS (DICED TOMATOES, STEAK , CHICKEN, SALSA) HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITH DISCARD DATES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD ITEM DISCLOSURES AND REMINDER STATEMENT IN MENU.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED IMPROPERLY STORED IN GROCERY BAGS IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS IN APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TEST KIT AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE APPROXIMATE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZING SOLUTION .PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIP KIT ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK IN BASEMENT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE TEST KIT AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AT ALL TIMES TO PROPERLY MONITOR THE APPROXIMATE CONCENTRATION OF SANITIZING SOLUTION .PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.