EL RODEO, INC. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND SINK IN REAR KITCHEN AREA. MUST PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT EACH HAND SINK AT ALL TIMES. OPERATOR PROVIDED SOAP DURING INSPECTION. 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER DATES ON PREPPED TCS FOODS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL PREPPED TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD DATE NO MORE THAN 7 DAY FROM PREPARATION DATE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: FOUND CHORIZO AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, HANGING ON RACKS IN MEAT DEPARTMENT, WITHOUT APPROVED PROCESS. FACILITY PROVIDED LAB LETTER DATED 4/6/09 FROM MEAT INDUSTRY LABORATORIES. MUST OBTAIN CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH APPROVAL OR A PRODUCT ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND MUST HAVE A RECORD VERIFYING THE PH AND AW FROM A CERTIFIED LAB (AND NO CHANGE IN PROCESS). OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED ALL CHORIZO DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: SEE VIOLATION # 29.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER TO ACCURATELY MEASURE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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 HEAVILY STAINED CUTTING BOARD ON TOP OF PREP COOLER IN KITCHEN AREA. MUST RESURFACE OR REPLACE. INSTRUCTED ALL CUTTING SURFACES MUST BE CLEANED AT AN ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO AVOID CROSS CONTAMINATION. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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 GASKETS IN DISREPAIR ALONG DOOR OF WALK IN COOLER. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN KITCHEN. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED ITEMS STORED DIRECTLY ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA/KITCHEN AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT ALEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN KITCHEN. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME. OBSERVED ITEMS STORED DIRECTLY ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT REAR PREP AREA/KITCHEN AND STORAGE AREAS. MUST ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT ALEAST 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.