EL TACO SABROSO #1 INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: UPRIGHT REACH IN COOLER CURRENTLY IN USE, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE, INTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE AT 47.9F. VIOLATION CRITICAL 7-38-005A.

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN UPRIGHT COOLER: CONTAINER OF GREEN SALSA AT 47.9F. CONTAINER OF COOKED STEAK AT 60.9F, GUACAMOLE AT 50.9F, SOUR CREAM AT 50.2F. THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED IN LARGE, DEEP BUS PANS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN WALK IN COOLER: TRIPE 79.9F, COOKED PASTOR 66.6F, COOKED BEANS 47.9F, RICE 45.9F. ALL PRODUCT VOLUNTARILY DISPOSED OF AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. APPROX 60LBS $200 VALUE. VIOLATION 7-38-005A CRITICAL.

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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: OBSERVED 2 MALE FOOD HANDLERS USING BARE HANDS WITH READY TO EAT FOODS, USING BARE HANDS TO HANDLE TORTILLAS AND PLACING CONDIMENTS SUCH AS LETTUCE, CHEESE ON TACOS AND GIVEN TO CUSTOMER FOR IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION. BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY TO EAT FOODS IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATION 7-38-010A CRITICAL.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM 1/12/17 REPORT 1981369 NOT CORRECTED. 32 CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE/COOLER PITTED, WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS. 38 STOPPERS MISSING FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERES. 40 MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION 7-42-090 SERIOUS.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090 - Comments: PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATIONS FROM 1/12/17 REPORT 1981369 NOT CORRECTED. 32 CUTTING BOARD AT PREP LINE/COOLER PITTED, WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES. INSTD TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN CUTTING BOARDS. 38 STOPPERS MISSING FOR 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. PROVIDE PROPER STOPPERES. 40 MISSING METAL STEM THERMOMETERS FOR FOOD HANDLERS. INSTD TO PROVIDE. VIOLATION 7-42-090 SERIOUS.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.