EL TACONAZO JR. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14(N): NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST 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: 2-501.11: NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY AND KIT ON SITE. MUST 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 DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17: MUST PROVIDE PROPER LABELS FOR DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION OF REFRIGERATED, READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD OVER 24HRS. 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: 3-603.11: MUST PROVIDE CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE, AND REMINDER. 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: 3-302.12: MUST PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL FOODS NOT IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: 3-307.11: OBSERVED HANDWASH SINK IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH A VERY SMALL SPLASH GUARD THAT DOES NOT PROTECT THE FOOD ON THE PREP TABLE ADJACENT. MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD THAT ADEQUATELY PROTECTS FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-501.11(A): MUST PROVIDE SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMP SINK.

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: 4-501.12: OBSERVED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FRONT PREP AREA WITH DEEP GROOVES AND STAINS. MUST REPLACE.

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: 4-602.13: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE GREASE ACCUMULATION DRIPPING FROM THE SHELF THAT IS NEXT TO THE HOOD IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MUST REMOVE GREASE, DETAIL CLEAN, 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15(C): OBSERVED A SLIGHT LEAK FROM THE FAUCET OF THE 3 COMP SINK. OBSERVED THE FAUCET IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM WASHBOWL IN POOR REPAIR. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-203.13: MUST PROVIDE A WORKING MOP SINK WITH A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON SITE.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: 6-501.19: MUST PROVIDE SELF CLOSING DOORS FOR THE TOILET ROOMS.

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: 5-501.110: OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF GREASE ENCRUSTED ONTO THE OUTSIDE GREASE BOX AND WAS DRIPPING OFF THE BOX INTO A PUDDLE OF GREASE ON THE GROUND. FACILITY CORRECTED VIOLATION ON SITE BY DETAIL CLEANING THE GREASE BOX AND AREA AROUND THE GREASE BOX. 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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-203.13: OBSERVED FLOOR COVING PEELING OFF OR MISSING THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.

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: 6-501.11: OBSERVED SOME MISSING AND BROKEN FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST REPLACE 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: 6-501.14: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION AND THE KITCHEN HOOD VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN 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: 6-501.14: OBSERVED AN ACCUMULATION OF DIRT/DEBRIS BUILDUP ON THE TOILET ROOM EXHAUST VENTILATION AND THE KITCHEN HOOD VENTILATION. MUST DETAIL CLEAN 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.