JAMAICA JERK CHOICE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANIATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION

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: OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN TCS FOOD (CHICKEN, CABBAGE, YAMS) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED HOT TCS FOOD STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE ON STEAM TABLE(COOKED CABBAGE (95.1F), COOKED CHICKEN (97.3F), COOKED YAMS (104.1F) INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 30LBS AND $100 OF PRODUCT. ALL HOT TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 135F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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 COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED COLD TCS FOOD STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN PREP COOLER, OXTAILS (55.6F), GOAT (51.1F,) RICE (51.4F). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD ALL COLD TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY 7-38-005 SEE PREVIOUS VIOLATION FOR CITATION

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED STEAM TABLE NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 108F AND PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 53.6F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR STEAM TABLE TO MAINTAIN 135F OR ABOVE AND PREP COOLER TO MAINTAIN 41F OR BELOW. BOTH STEAM TABLE AND PREP COOLER UNITS ARE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. PRIORITY 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED

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 FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED FILTERS MISSING INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED DUST BUILD UP ON FILTERS INSIDE VENTILATION HOOD. INSTTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.