GREAT BUFFET Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL PERSONS IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER'S CERTIFICATE, MUST POST SAID CERTIFICATE AND BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES THE FACILITY IS OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. CITATION WRITTEN UNDER VIOLATION #2.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 2-101.11 OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, SHRIMP) ARE BEING PREPARED HANDLED AND SERVED TO THE PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012.

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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE NOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ON SITE TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 5-205.11 OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK BLOCKED WITH A CONTAINER INSIDE OF THE BASIN OF THE HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL HAND WASHING SINKS ACCESSIBLE FOR HAND WASHING AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE REMOVED THE CONTAINER FROM THE BASIN OF THE HAND WASHING SINK DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030(C).

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-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: 4-602.11 OBSERVED STAINED CUTTING BOARD ATTACHED TO A PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE STAINS OR REPLACE CUTTING BOARD.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: 3-501.16(A:1) OBSERVED TCS FOOD AT INADEQUATE HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURE LOCATED IN THE CUSTOMER SERVING AREA; OBSERVED ABOUT 1/2 LB OF COOKED PEPPERONI PIZZA AT 98F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL HOT HOLDING TCS FOODS AT 135F OR ABOVE AT ALL TIMES. EMPLOYEE DISCARD SAID TCS FOOD DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

Temperatures above 41°F allow rapid bacterial multiplication, doubling every 20 minutes.

Cold foods must be held at 41°F or below.

Maintain 41°F or below; Check temperatures regularly; Properly functioning refrigeration; Thermometers in all units; Keep doors closed.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17 OBSERVED COOKED TCS READY TO EAT FOODS IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND INSIDE OF REFRIGERATION UNITS, HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WITHOUT LABELS THAT CONTAIN THE DISCARD DATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE LABELS FOR ALL READY TO EAT FOODS THAT ARE HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE OF A REFRIGERATION UNIT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 OBSERVED SPICES OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING IN CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAMES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: 6-501.111 OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY ON SITE. OBSERVED ABOUT 20 RODENT DROPPINGS SCATTERED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE FOOD PREP AREA, OBSERVED ONE LIVE COCKROACH ON THE WALL OF THE REAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE RODENT AND INSECT ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PEST CONTROL FOR A 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: 6-501.112 OBSERVED DEAD ROACHES ON THE FLOORS AND INSIDE OF A COLD HOLDING UNIT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS IN BETWEEN AND INSIDE OF THE REFRIGERATION UNITS, FRYERS AND WOK STATION. OBSERVED RUST ON THE SHELVES IN A 2 DOOR REFRIGERATION UNIT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE AND REMOVE RUST.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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: 6-501.12 OBSERVED FLOORS THROUGHOUT WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT FOOD AND GREASE DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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.