LA GUERRERENSE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT PROOF OF FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT TRAINING DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE.

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 FACILITY FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING AND HANDLING TIME AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOODS - VARIOUS CHEESES AND PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN DAIRY. WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #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 EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: NOTED OPEN PERSONAL DRINKS IN VARIOUS RETAIL COOLERS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE DESIGNATED COOLER FOR STAFF FOOD & BEVERAGES.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

FOOD OBTAINED FROM APPROVED SOURCE - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS OF QUESO FRESCO CHEESE, 3 LBS OF JUMILES FOR SALE IN THE FACILITY FROM AN UNKNOWN UNAPPROVED SOURCE IN FRONT OF THE DISPLAY COOLER. BAG OF CHEESE WITHOUT A BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS OF AN APPROVED FACILITY. MANAGER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN INVOICE FOR THE QUESO FRESCO DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID ITEMS AND ALWAYS TO PURCHASE ALL FOOD ITEMS FROM AN APPROVED SOURCE AND APPROVED FACILITY. MANAGER DISCARDED SAID ITEMS DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005 - COS.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

FOOD SEPARATED AND PROTECTED - Comments: OBSERVED BULK SOUR CREAM AND QUESO CHEESE STORED IN A PUBLIC GRAB AND GO REFRIGERATOR. BULK ITEMS ARE PACKAGED ON SITE AND ARE SOLD BY WEIGHT. ALSO NOTED WHEELS OF DRY CHEESE STORED ON COUNTERTOP/CUTTING BOARD AND ON CARDBOARD SURFACE UNDER STORAGE RACK. FOOD MUST ALSO BE COVERED AND PROTECTED AT ALL TIMES. CONDEMNED ALL CHEESE STORED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE - INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE NOT TO STORE FOOD IN PUBLIC COOLERS TO PREVENT IMPROPER HANDLING/ TAMPERING AND TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION STATING THAT DRY CHEESE IS SHELF STABLE. SOUR CREAM AND QUESO FRESCO CHEESE DISCARDED. PRIORITY VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Improper storage allows contamination from dripping, pests, and cross-contamination between foods.

Food must be protected from contamination during storage and display.

Store 6 inches off floor; Cover all food; Separate raw from ready-to-eat; Proper storage order; Protect from overhead contamination; Use sneeze guards.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NOTED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE TO MONITOR THE INTERNAL FOOD TEMPERATURE OF TCS FOOD COOKED, DELIVERED, AND SERVED. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PROPER THERMOMETERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED PACKAGED COOKIES AT REGISTER MISSING ALLERGEN INFORMATION ON THE LABELS. INSTRUCTED FOOD MANAGER THAT ALL PACKAGED FOOD MUST BE LABELED AS REQUIRED TO INCLUDE FOOD ALLERGENS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED BAGGED DRY INGREDIENTS FOR SALE WITHOUT LABELS IDENTIFYING CONTENTS.

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: OBSERVED STICKY FLY TRAP ABOVE PREP TABLE WHERE CHEESE IS CUT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. TRAPS SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED ON OR ABOVE PREP TABLES.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED STICKY FLY TRAP ABOVE PREP TABLE WHERE CHEESE IS CUT. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. TRAPS SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED ON OR ABOVE PREP TABLES.

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.