IDOF Fresh Mediterranean Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 2-102.12- OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION WHILE TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (TCS) WERE BEING PREPARED AND/OR SERVED, GRILLED CHICKEN, DICED TOMATOES, ETC. INFORMED SITE THAT CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHENEVER TCS FOODS ARE BEING PREPARED AND/OR SERVED. 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14 (N)- OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A). 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- FOUND NO COMPLETE PROCEDURES ON SITE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMITING AND DIAREAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUE.

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 EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: 2-401.11- OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER EATING PITA SANDWICH AT REAR PREP AREA TABLE, IN PLAIN VIEW OF CUSTOMERS. INFORMED SITE THAT EATING MUST OCCUR IN DESIGNATED/NONE FOOD PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED SITE TO EAT IN DESIGNATED/NONE FOOD PREP AREAS. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 6-301.14- OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL HAND SINKS ON SITE. INFORMED MANAGER THAT HAND SINKS MUST HAVE SIGNAGE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: 4-204.112(B)- OBSERVED NO INTERNAL THERMOMETER MEASURING DEVICE INSIDE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED NO SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN 1-COMPARTMENT SINK AND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST PROVIDE SPLASH GUARD BETWEEN SAID SINKS.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: 2-402.11- OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREAS WITHOUT BEARD RESTRAINTS. INFORMED SITE THAT BEARD RESTRAINTS MUST BE WORN TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED SITE TO PROVIDE BEARD RESTRAINTS. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 4-302.14- OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INFORMED MANAGER THAT CHEMICAL TEST KIT MUST BE ON SITE TO DETERMINE PROPER CONCENTRATIONS LEVEL OF SANITIZING SOLUTION. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: 2-102.13- OBSERVED ILLINOIS FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO MAINTAIN.

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.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: PA 100-0367- OBSERVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATES.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: PA 100-0367- OBSERVED ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATE NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN ALLERGEN AWARENESS CERTIFICATES.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.