GOMEZ TACOS REST Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

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 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR SUPPLIES (DISPOSABLE MASK, DISPOSABLE MOP) ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: 3-301.11 OBSERVED A FEMALE FOOD HANDLER HANDLING READY TO EAT FOODS (CHEESE) WITH HER BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO NEVER HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS AND TO ALWAYS PROPERLY USE A PROTECTIVE BARRIER (TONGS, SPOONS, FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES) TO HANDLE ALL READY TO EAT FOODS. MANAGER INSTRUCTED THE FOOD HANDLER ON THE PROPER PROCEDURE DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.14 OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS LOCATED AT THE HAND WASHING SINKS IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NOR IN THE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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: 3-302.11(A:1-2) OBSERVED RAW TURKEY BURGERS IN THE TOP OF THE PREP COOLER STORED IN A CONTAINER NEXT TO A CONTAINER OF READY TO EAT CHOPPED LETTUCE. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS SEPARATE ALL RAW FOOD CONTAINERS FROM READY TO EAT FOOD CONTAINERS AND NEVER STORE RAW FOOD CONTAINERS NEXT TO READY TO EAT FOOD CONTAINERS. MANAGER REMOVE THE CONTAINER OF RAW TURKEY BURGERS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW (BURGERS). INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER TO ALL ITEMS ON THE MENU THAT CAN BE ORDERED UNDERCOOKED OR RAW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: 4-204.112(B) OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF THE PIZZA PREP COOLER AND INSIDE OF THE FRONT PREP COOLER. 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED ABOUT 30 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN BETWEEN THE WALL AND THE OVEN, ABOOUT 10 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED UNDER THE SHELVES IN THE REAR, ABOUT 25 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM CABINETS IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA , ABOUT 10 RODENT DROPPINGS BEHIND REFRIGERATION UNITS, AND ABOUT 25 RODENT DROPPINGS LOCATED UNDER THE FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(A).

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED NO UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH RECEIPT OF SERVICE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(C).

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-202.15 OBSERVED THE REAR EXIT DOOR WITH A ONE INCH GAP AT THE BOTTOM. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE REAR EXIT DOOR TIGHT FITTING.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: 5-205.15 OBSERVED TOILET LID MISSING ON THE TOILET IN THE CUSTOMER TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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: 5-204.12 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO LOCATE.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: 5-501.110 OBSERVED OUTSIDE GREASE DUMPSTER LID WITH EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATED GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020(B).

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-201.11 OBSERVED A MISSING CEILING TILE IN THE REAR OF THE FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

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: 2-102.13 OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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: 2-102.13 OBSERVED FEMALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLERS CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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.