LA AMISTAD INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 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: NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR A VOMITING OR DIARRHEA EVENT. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO SOAP OR HAND CLEANSER LOCATED AT THE REAR PREP HAND WASHING SINK. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NO PAPER TOWELS LOCATED AT THE REAR PREP AND FRONT PREP HAND WASHING SINKS. MUST PROVIDE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) SEE ABOVE VIOLATION FOR CITATION.

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: THE FOLLOWING FOODS FOUND HELD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN VARIOUS COOLERS. APPROXIMATELY 2 LBS COOKED BEEF AT 51.3F, 3 LBS COOKED CHICKEN AT 54.5F, 2 LBS COOKED CHORIZO AT 54.8F ALL IN THE FRONT PREP TWO DOOR COOLER. IN THE COOKS LINE ONE DOOR COOLER FOUND 3 LBS FISH AT 47.1F, IN THE REAR TALL REACH-IN COOLER FOUND 3 LBS COOKED PORK AT 48.2F, COOKED BEEF AT 51.6F, COOKED CHICKEN AT 46.8F. ALL FOOD DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT STATES THE ESTIMATED VALUE TO BE #300.00. 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: OBSERVED ALL PREPARED,TCS READY TO EAT FOODS IN ALL COOLERS WITHOUT ANY DATE LABELS OF ANY KIND. APPROXIMATELY 50 LBS ALL DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED ALL COOKED, TCS READY TO EAT FOODS, SUCH AS COOKED BEEF AND COOKED PORK, HELD LONGER THAN 24 HOURS IN ALL COOLERS MUST BE DATE LABELED WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE NO LONGER THAN 7 DAYS FROM THE PREPARED DATE WHICH INCLUDES THE PREPARATION DATE. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED ON MENU. MENU DOES NOT DISCLOSE AND INFORM CONSUMERS THE SPECIFIC MENU ITEMS, SUCH AS EGG DISHES, THAT ARE RAW OR UNDER COOKED AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF CONSUMING SUCH FOOD. MUST PROVIDE A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND DISCLOSE AND INFORM SUCH ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED THE FRONT PREP TWO DOOR COOLER UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE. COOLER FOUND WITH AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 58.3F WITH FOOD SUCH AS COOKED BEEF AT 51.3F. COOLER TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT USE UNTIL REPAIRED, MAINTAINS A TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR BELOW AND CDPH CONTACTED FOR RE-INSPECTION AND TAG REMOVAL. PRIORITY VIOLATION 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: BROKEN/INACCURATE INTERNAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE FRONT PREP TWO DOOR COOLER. MUST REPLACE.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: REAR EXIT SCREENED DOOR NOT TIGHT FITTING ON ALL SIDES. OPEN 1 TO 3 INCH GAPS ON THE BOTTOM AND SIDES, TORN MESH SCREEN THROUGHOUT DOOR WITH HOLES. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING DOOR ON ALL SIDES WITH NO TEARS OR HOLES IN MESH SCREENING.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: CUSTOMERS NOTED PASSING THROUGH DISH WASHING AREA AND FOOD STORAGE REFRIGERATION TO ACCESS THE WASHROOM. MUST NOT ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO USE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM LOCATED IN FOOD STORAGE/DISH AREA.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: WET WIPING CLOTHS THROUGHOUT THE PREP AREAS MUST BE HELD IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ICE SCOOP MUST BE HELD IN A CLEAN CONTAINER. NOT INSIDE THE ICE.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: EXTREMELY DIRTY UTILITY MOP SINK. 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: BROKEN HOT WATER HANDLE ON THE UTILITY MOP SINK. MUST REPLACE.

Backflow can contaminate entire water supply with sewage or chemicals.

Plumbing must be properly installed with backflow prevention.

Air gaps at fixtures; Backflow preventers on connections; No cross-connections; Annual testing of devices; Proper drainage.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: DIRTY FLOOR DRAIN UNDER THE REAR PREP HAND WASHING SINK. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: SOILED MOP HEADS MUST BE STORED INVERTED IN THE UTILITY MOP SINK.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.

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: INOPERABLE VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE.

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.