ISABELLA'S BAKERY Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT DISPLAY CASE. APPROXIMATELY 3 LBS BEEF EMPANADAS AT 129.2F TO 134.1F AND 3 LBS CHICKEN EMPANADAS AT 133.5F. ALL DISCARDED. APPROXIAMATE VALUE $25. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005(A). MUST MAINTAIN HOT FOODS AT 140F OR ABOVE.

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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: NO SANITIZING SOLUTION USED OR ON THE PREMISES WHILE EMPLOYEE WAS OBSERVED WASHING POTS, PANS AND UTENSILS. NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: BOTH EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINKS IN BOTH FOOD PREP AREAS ARE COMPLETELY CLOGGED AND DO NOT DRAIN. NO PAPER TOWELS AT THE REAR PREP EXPOSED HAND SINK AND THAT SINK WAS FOUND WITH THE WATER TURNED OFF FROM THE VALVES UNDERNEATH. HAND SINKS MUST PROPERLY DRAIN ALL WASTE WATER. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT INFESTATION, NO BIRDS, TURTLES OR OTHER ANIMALS - Comments: EVIDENCE OF RODENT INFESTATION. OBSERVED MICE DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS THROUGHOUT THE PREMISES: 10 DROPPINGS BEHIND COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. 10 DROPPINGS BEHIND PREP AREA BOX FREEZER AND FLOOR MIXER, 7 UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, 10 UNDER THE SHELVING IN THE DISH ROOM. 20 IN THE HVAC CLOSET. 20 BEHIND THE COOLER IN THE REAR STORAGE. 10 ALONG THE BASEBOARDS UNDER EQUIPMENT STORAGE, BEHIND PROOFER BOX. 3 ON TOP OF BAKING PARCHMENT PAPER AND ON SHELVING WHERE CONDIMENTS AND BAKING GOODS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AREAS, SEAL ANY HOLES OBSERVED DURING CLEANING AND MUST HAVE PEST CONTROL CO. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR MICE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-020.

Pests carry numerous pathogens including Salmonella, E. coli, and Hantavirus, contaminating food and surfaces.

Facility must be free of pest infestation.

No live pests; No pest droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting; Effective pest control program; Regular monitoring; Professional treatment when needed.

* CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHILE THE ABOVE MENTIONED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS WERE BEING HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. MANAGER WAS TELEPHONED UPON MY ARRIVAL AND CAME TO THE SITE DURING THE INSPECTION. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.

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.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: MUST NOT USE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR PREPARED FOODS. MUST USE FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS OR WASHABLE CONTAINERS.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: MUST REMOVE WALL MOUNTED HAND SOAP DISPENSER FROM THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. ALL HAND WASHING MUST BE DONE AT THE EXPOSED HAND SINKS ONLY.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: EXTERIOR OF 3 COMPARTMENT SINK GREASE TRAP NOT CLEAN. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: FLOORS NOT CLEAN UNDER EQUIPMENT AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND ALONG WALLS. FLOOR IN POOR REPAIR BY FRONT DOOR (BROKEN/MISSING TILES). MUST CLEAN, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOOR.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN THE REAR PREP AREA ABOVE THE COOKS LINE. MUST REPLACE. WALLS THROUGHOUT THE FOOD PREP AND STORAGE AREAS DIRTY AND SOME AREAS WITH PEELING PAINT. MUST CLEAN, REPAIR AND MAINTAIN WALLS.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: LEAK ON THE NOZZLE OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR. NO VENTILATION ABOVE THE SIX BURNER GAS STOVE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MUST PROVIDE VENTILATION OR REMOVE THE STOVE.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: MUST PROVIDE INTERNAL THERMOMETERS FOR ALL REFRIGERATION AND FREEZER UNITS.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: STORAGE AREAS AND SHOWER STALL MOP SINK BASIN ARE CLUTTERED AND UNORGANIZED. MUST REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND STORE ALL ELSE ELEVATED 6" OF FLOOR TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE AND TO FACILITATE CLEANING.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.

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 (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.

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.