LA COCO MEXICAN FOOD Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AS REQUIRED; MUST PROVIDE. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN WITH SEPARATE FAUCET AND FILTER ATTACHED FOR DRINKING WATER. HAND WASHING SINK MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN HAND WASHING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) CITATION COMBINED WITH PREVIOUS VIOLATION

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: OBSERVED 2 OF 2 HAND WASHING SINKS IN KITCHEN WITH NO SOAP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE SOAP IS PROVIDED AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED VARIOUS TCS FOODS STORED AT INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 46-49 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD FOOD IS STORED AT 41 F AND BELOW. MANAGER DISCARDED: 5 POUNDS OF CHICKEN, 8 POUNDS STEAK, 6 POUNDS HOTDOGS, 1/4 POUND LETTUCE, 1/4 GALLON SALSA, 1/4 POUND ONIONS WITH TOMATOES. 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.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED - Comments: OBSERVED WORKING CONTAINER OF BLUE CHEMICAL NOT LABELED WITH COMMON NAME. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO LABEL ALL WORKING CHEMICAL CONTAINERS WITH COMMON NAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-015 CITATION ISSUED

Unpasteurized products can contain dangerous pathogens.

Only pasteurized dairy and eggs in certain situations; no prohibited foods.

Pasteurized eggs for recipes not fully cooked; Pasteurized dairy products; No home-prepared foods.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED 3 COOLERS WITH INADEQUATE TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47-49 F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE ALL COLD HOLDING UNITS HAVE AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41 F AND BELOW. COOLERS TAGGED. 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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED PEST INFESTATION WITH LIVE ROACHES FOUND THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY, INCLUDING IN THE WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM (5), IN THE KITCHEN (20), IN THE DINING ROOM (10), AND THE BASEMENT(7) AND MORE THAN 20 LIVE ROACHES FOUND IN PTRP_SERVICE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE ALL AREAS AFFECTED BY PESTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED THAT GASKET ON REACH UNDER FOOD PREP COOLER DOOR IS RIPPED AND BROKEN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED INTERIOR OF COOLERS WITH HEAVY SOIL AND DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ENSURE THE INTERIOR OF ALL COOLERS IS CLEAN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOOR THROUGH FOOD PREP AREA OBSERVED TO BE COVERED WITH GREASE AND DIRT

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: FLOOR THROUGH FOOD PREP AREA OBSERVED TO BE COVERED WITH GREASE AND DIRT

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.