KOKO'S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 7.38.010.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT ANY HANDWASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (CHICKEN,SLICED TOMATOES) AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES LOCATED IN THE WALK IN COOLER AND IN THE PREP COOLER DURING THE INSPECTION; 80 LBS OF CHICKEN AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 48F-53F, 5 GALLONS OF TAMOTOES AT 49F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE ALL SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN A COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 40F. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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 DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: FOUND IMPROPER DATE MARKING LOCATED IN COOLER STORED IN DISHWASHING AREA. NOTED READY TO EAT, TIME/TEMEPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD WITHOUT DISCARD DATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ALL READY TO EAT TIME/ TEMPERATURE FOR SAFTEY FOODS HELD FO OVER 24 HOURS. 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED SMALL REACH IN COOLER LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE DISHWASHING AREA AT AN IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 50F AT TIME OF INSPECTION. FOUND ONIONS STORED IN COOLER. COOLER MUST MAINTAIN A PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. REACH IN COOLER TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION BY THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND MAY NOT BE USED UNTIL THE WALK IN COOLER IS RE-INSPECTED BY CDPH AND MAINTAINING A PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURE FOR 41F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

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: FOUND NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS, ALSO NOTED NO THERMOMTHERS INSIDE REACH IN COOLERS. INSTURCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. IN A MECHANICALLY REFRIGERATED OR HOT FOOD STORAGE UNIT, THE SENSOR OF A TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE SHALL BE LOCATED TO MEASURE THE AIR TEMPERATURE OR A SIMULATED PRODUCT TEMPERATURE IN THE WARMEST PART OF A MECHANICALLY REFRIGERATED UNIT AND IN THE COOLEST PART OF A HOT FOOD STORAGE UNIT.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: FOUND EMPLOYEE WITHOUT HAIRNET LOCATED IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: FOUND CUTIING BOARDS CONNECTED TO PREP COOLERS STAINED WITH DEEP GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO RE-PLACE AND MAINTAIN

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: FOUND CUTIING BOARDS CONNECTED TO PREP COOLERS STAINED WITH DEEP GROOVES. INSTRUCTED TO RE-PLACE AND MAINTAIN

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.