EL PROGRESSO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE PREAPRING AND SERVING RAW MEAT, NACHO CHEESE, TAMALES, CHOPPED CANTALOUPE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH VALID ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEW. MUST MAINTAIN. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND CLEANSER AVAILABLE AT HANDSINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHING AREA. NOTED FOOD EMPLOYEE CHOPPING CANTALOUPE AND MANGO IN SAID PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN FOR PROPER HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (c). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSEREVD HANDSINK LOCATED IN REAR PREP/DISHWASING AREA SINK INACCESIBLE DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. NOTED SINK BASIN FILLED WITH STRAINERS, KITCHENWARE, SCRUB BRUSHES, COFFE MUGS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND UTILIZE HANDSINK FOR HAND WASHING ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-030 (C). PLEASE SEE ABOVE VIOLATION FOR CITATION INFORMATION.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PREP CHICKEN ON WHITE CUTTING BOARD IN MEAT PREP WHILE PREPARING HORCHATA. NOTED FOOD HANDLER PLACE 4 CUT PARTS OF RAW CHICKEN IN GROCERY BAG AFTER PREPARING FOR CUSTOMER, THEN PLACE BAG OF CHICKEN INSIDE OF DISPLAY COOLER, PLACE PLASTIC WRAP ON TOP OF STORAGE CONTAINER CONTAINING HORCHATA AND PLACE INSIDE OF COOLING UNIT NEXT TO DELI MEAT. INSTRUCTED TO NOT PREP RAW ANIMAL FOODS IN THE SAME SPACE AND AT THE SAME TIME AS READY TO EAT FOODS TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATIOON OR CROSS CONTAMINATION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED MISSING THERMOMETERS INSIDE COOLING UNIT CONTAINING MILK, EGGS, SOURCREAM, BOTH WALK IN COOLERS CONTAINING TCS FOODS. 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: OBSERVED WORKING INGREDIENTS (BREADING, SEASONINGS, HERBS ) STORED IN MEAT AND REAR PREP WITHOUT LABELS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE COMMON NAME

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 65 SMALL RODENT DROPPINGS ON FLOORS IN MEAT PREP AREA ALONG WALL UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND IN REAR PREP/DISHWASHER ON FLOOR UNDER YELLOW STORAGE CART AS WELL AS ON EACH SHELVING UNITS, ALONGSIDE FREEZER UNIT STORED IN SAID AREA AND ON FLOOR UNDER PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL. FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE, REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE SAID AREAS. 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED IMPROPERLY THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED TO STORE INSIDE SANITIZER BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION AT @ LEAST 50PPM.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED GROCERY STORE BAGS USED TO STORE CARNITAS, TAMALES, CHICKEN, BEEF, DELI MEAT. INSTRUCTED TO RSTORE FOOD ITEMS IN FOOD GRADE BAGS/ STORAGE CONTAINERS ONLY.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED TOILETROOM DOOR NOT SELF CLOSING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE NOT MAINTAINED. NOTED LIDS UNABLE TO CLOSE AND OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH BAGS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECEPTACLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (B). CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED OUTSIDE RECEPTACLE NOT MAINTAINED. NOTED LIDS UNABLE TO CLOSE AND OVERFLOWING WITH TRASH BAGS DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN RECEPTACLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-020 (B). CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.