GREEN LEAF THAI CUISINE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: PERSON IN CHARGE DURING THE INITIAL INSPECTION DOES NOT HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION.

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: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING THE INITIAL INSPECTION WHILE TCS FOODS WERE BEING PREPARED AND SERVED. MANAGER WAS TELEPHONED UPON MY ARRIVAL AND ARRIVED ON SITE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES LATER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED THE COOKS LINE HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE SINK NOTED WITH FOOD CONTAINERS AND DISHES INSIDE. EMPLOYEE REMOVED. REVIEWED HAND WASHING SINKS ARE FOR HAND WASHING PURPOSES ONLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER RAW ANIMAL ORIGIN MEATS AND EGGS BEING ABOVE PREPARED FOODS AND FRESH VEGETABLES. RAW PORK STORED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF A POT OF COOKED PEANUT SAUCE. RAW PORK ON SHELVING ABOVE FRESH CUCUMBERS, RAW EGGS ON TOP OF FRESH FRUIT AND IN THE COOKS LINE TWO DOOR COOLER RAW CHICKEN ON TOP SHELVING ABOVE FRIED TOFU. ALL FOODS REMOVED. REVIEWED PROPER FOOD SAFETY AND STORAGE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS PREPARED TCS FOODS NOT PROPERLY DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE. COOKED CHICKEN ON THE COOKS LINE WITH NO LABEL, NO DATES. IN THE WALK-IN COOLER: PEANUT SAUCE WITH NO LABEL, COOKED NOODLES WITH NO LABEL AND COOKED SATAY NOODLES DATED MAY 20TH. ALL FOODS DISCARDED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED RAT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: APPROXIMATELY 20 DROPPINGS UNDER THE DISH MACHINE AND THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. 5 DROPPINGS BEHIND THE WOK LINE. 10 DROPPINGS UNDER SHELVING IN THE REAR DRY STORAGE ROOM NEAR EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. 20 TO 30 DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND RECOMMEND HAVING THE PEST CO. SERVICE FOR RATS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: NOTED KNIVES IMPROPERLY STORED BETWEEN THE WALL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUITS ON THE COOKS LINE. MUST PROPERLY STORE ON A CLEAN SURFACE OR IN A KNIFE HOLDER.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED TORN AND MISSING RUBBER DOOR GASKETS ON BOTH TWO DOOR COOLERS ON THE COOKS LINE. INSTRUCTED TO 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE RAW WOODEN BLOCKS AS A MEANS OF ELEVATION FOR FREEZER UNIT IN THE KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE MISSING WHEEL.

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: NOTED CUTTING BOARDS ON THE COOKS LINE BLACKENED AND BADLY STAINED. INSTRUCTED TO 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: OBSERVED FOOD ENCRUSTED TABLE TOP CAN OPENER. MUST CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.----INTERIOR OF THE TALL REACH-IN KITCHEN COOLER DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS. MUST 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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: WASTE WATER DRAIN PIPE UNDER THE UTILITY MOP SINK NOT CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR DRAIN PIPE. WASTE WATER DRAINS DIRECTLY ONTO THE FLOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SO WASTE WATER DRAINS INTO THE FLOOR DRAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: NOTED HOLES IN THE WALL UNDER HAND DRYER IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.----ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FAR REAR DRY STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.----CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE NORTH DINING ROOM. MUST 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: NOTED HOLES IN THE WALL UNDER HAND DRYER IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM. MUST SEAL.----ALL STORED ITEMS THROUGHOUT THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FAR REAR DRY STORAGE MUST BE ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.----CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES IN THE NORTH DINING ROOM. MUST 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.