EL TACONAZO LA FIESTA INC. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES TO RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO HAND SOAP WAS PROVIDED AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE COOK'S LINE. MANAGEMENT PROVIDED HAND SOAP AT MY REQUEST. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN ALL HAND WASHING SINKS WITH SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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 COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOODS INSIDE OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. OBSERVED SOUP AT 47.8F, COOKED CACTUS AT 52.2F, CHEESE AT 48.2F, MILK AT 48.2F, BEEF AT 59F, COOKED RICE AT 60.1F, PORK AT 67.5F, REFRIED BEANS AT 59F, SALSA AT 54F. MANAGEMENT VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED APPROXIMATELY 150# OF FOOD WORTH $1000. PRIORITY 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 READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS NOT DATE MARKED INSIDE OF THE COOLERS TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL APPLICABLE FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU OR THE MENU BOARD FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE AND DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU AND MENU BOARD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE WALK-IN COOLER WITH AN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 49.3F. THE COOLER WAS USED TO STORE TCS FOODS SUCH AS MEATS AND CHEESE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE COOLER BELOW 41F. PRIORITY 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE-USE AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND FOOD EQUIPMENT STORED IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM WITH THE WATER HEATER IN IT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL SINGLE-USE AND MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE PROPER AREA.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKETS INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER DOORS.

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: DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE DEEP FRYER, 3 DOOR PREP COOLER AND WIRE STORAGE RACKS WITH FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE ON THEM.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AND EMPLOYEE WASHROOMS. MUST PROVIDE COVERED WASTE RECEPTACLES IN ALL WOMEN'S WASHROOMS.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO SELF-CLOSING DOOR DEVICES ON THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM DOORS. MUST INSTALL FOR BOTH DOORS.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: SCRAPE AND REPAINT THE CHIPPED PAINT ON THE WALL ABOVE THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE POSTED FOR ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED AN EXPIRED FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE POSTED FOR ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.