EL PAISANO TACOS INC Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE FOR FOOD OR 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 CLEAN UP PROCEDURE OR NECCESARY ITEMS OUTLINED IN THE POLICY AVAILABLE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. 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 COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING FOODS AT IMPOROPER TEMPERTURE IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.... SKIRT STEAK @53.6F,COOKED REFRIED BEANS @57.0F, AND SEASONED PORK WITH PEPPERS @51.8F. MANAGER DISCARDED AND DENATURED SAID FOOD ITEMS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HOLD ALL COLD ITEMS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION.7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, RICE, BEANS, CHOPPED TOMATOES, ETC) IN PREP AREA AND 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IMPOPERLY LABELED. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL TCS FOODS WITH THAT ARE PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS A 7 DAY MAXIMUM DISCARD OR EXPIRATION DATE. 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: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE INCLUDING DESCRIPTION OF FOOD ITEM AND REMINDER STATEMENT PROVIDED IN MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOOD ITEMS SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO INCLUDE ASTERICKING NEXT TO EACH ITEM AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN STORAGE AREA WITH NO COMMON NAME LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN FRONT PREP AREA WITH DEEP CUTS AND DARK GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BOXES AND FOIL USED TO LINE SHELVES UNDERNEATH PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAKE SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVILY ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE MICROWAVE IN FRONT PREP AREA, AND ON EXTERIOR OF 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR IN REAR. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN , SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

Accumulated soil attracts pests and harbors bacteria.

All surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean equipment interiors and exteriors; Walls, ceilings, floors clean; Remove grease and debris; Clean as often as necessary.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CHIPPED PAINT BEHIND FOOD PREP TABLE IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE WALL SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE 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 HEAVY DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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 HEAVY DUST AND DIRT BUILD UP ON HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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.