LA AZTECA PRODUCE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. 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: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE/PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO 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.

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WITH GLOVED HANDS WASHING, RINSING AND STORING UTENSILS. EMPLOYEE MUST WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING SOILED EQUIPMENT OR UTENSILS PRIORITY VIOLATION:7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE CLEARLY LABELED WITH PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: WE OBSERVED OVER 50 ANTS ON FLOOR AT WEST WALL OF COOKING LOWER LEVEL. OVER 100 RAT DROPPINGS IN BASEMENT AREA(NO FOOD PRODUCTS) SOME FOOD EQUIPMENT.DROPPINGS WERE OBSERVED IN DIFFERENT LOCATION OF BASEMENT(UNDER SHELVES,ON CEMENT LEDGE AT EAST SIDE OF WALL,ON TOP PARTIAL RUG,INSIDE NON-FOOD STORAGE AREA,ETC).INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREA. MUST CONTACT PEST CONTROL COMPANY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION:7-38-020(A)

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: ALL PREP WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD BETWEEN USE IN A CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION,INCLUDED AT FRONT COUNTER TO WIPE MULTI USE UTENSILS

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.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING UTENSILS AND STORE THEM (KNIVES,STORED INSIDE THE KNIFE RACK)ETC.CLEAN AND SANITIZE UTENSILS SHALL BE AIR-DRIED

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS IN ALL FREEZERS AND COOLER. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS WITH LIDS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS.

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: REMOVE CARD BOARDS FROM ALL THE SHELVES AND ALUMINIUM FOIL USED HAS SHELF LINER.SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS ON SITE TO CHECK SANITATION LEVELS FOR THE CHLORINE CHEMICAL SANITIZER INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHLORINE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS. 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: ICE MACHINE NOT USED TO MAKE ICE,BUT HAS A STORAGE. HOWEVER IS FILLED WITH ITEMS AND OPEN FOOD.MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN UNIT.FOOD DEBRIS ON TRACK OF SLIDING DOORS OF BUTCHER DISPLAY COOLER,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: NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT FAUCET OF MOP SINK.MUST INSTALL SO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE MAY BE LOCATED TO BE SERVICED AND MAINTAINED

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: STAFF WASHROOM DOOR MUST BE SELF CLOSING

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CEILING WALL IN SELLING AREA EXTREMELY STAINED WITH BLACK SUBSTANCE,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVED/REPLACE CEILING.FOUL ODOR(MILDEW).SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.PEELING PAINT ON CEILING BY THE BUTCHER'S AREA,REMOVE SAID PAINT AND RE-PAINT. WALL AT COOKING AREA WITH SPATTERED LIQUID ON IT ,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DEBRIS AND GREASE ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT,BUTCHER'S AND COOKING AREA.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" ABOVE THE FLOOR FOR CLEANING PURPOSE.SPECIALLY IN BASEMENT AREA.

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: CEILING WALL IN SELLING AREA EXTREMELY STAINED WITH BLACK SUBSTANCE,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVED/REPLACE CEILING.FOUL ODOR(MILDEW).SURFACE MUST BE SMOOTH AND CLEANABLE.PEELING PAINT ON CEILING BY THE BUTCHER'S AREA,REMOVE SAID PAINT AND RE-PAINT. WALL AT COOKING AREA WITH SPATTERED LIQUID ON IT ,CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. DEBRIS AND GREASE ON FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT,BUTCHER'S AND COOKING AREA.CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. ELEVATE ITEMS 6" ABOVE THE FLOOR FOR CLEANING PURPOSE.SPECIALLY IN BASEMENT AREA.

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.