LA MERCED INC Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health. POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES, OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER PERFORMING MULTI-TASK, BUT NOT WASHING HIS HANDS. [REMOVING BOXES, CLEANING PREP TABLES, RETURNED TO PREP AREA PUT ON GLOVES AND SERVED A CUSTOMER]. INSTRUCTED HANDS MUST BE WASHED AT EXPOSED SINK WITH WARM WATER AND SOAP AFTER ANY CONTAMINATING CONDITION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010[A]CRITICAL.

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: All necessary control measures shall be used to effectively minimize or eliminate the presence of rodents, roaches, and other vermin and insects on the premises of all food establishments, in food-transporting vehicles, and in vending machines. FOUND EVIDENCE OF INSECTS; OBSERVED OVER 15 FRUIT FLIES ON TOP OF FRUITS AND VEG. ON DISPLAY TABLE, SOME HOUSE FLIES ON MEAT CUTTING AREA ON WALLS AND EQUIPMENT, AND BOTTOM AREA OF FRONT DOOR NOT SEALED, DOOR HAS GAP. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE AREAS AND SEAL FRONT DOOR. ENCOURAGED TO CALL PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-020 SERIOUS.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: All utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each usage. MUST CLEAN-SANITIZE; GRILL, STOVE AND CHEST FREEZER AT FRONT TAQUERIA AREA. ICE MACHINES, MEAT SLICER, GRINDER AT MEAT PREP AREA, AND DISPLAY SHELVES THRU-OUT PREMISES.

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST SEAL FLOORS IN REAR AREA KITCHEN AND INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. MUST CLEAN WALLS BEHIND TAQUERIA COOKING EQUIPMENT AND BEHIND 3PART SINK IN REAR PREP AREA/KITCHEN. MUST REPLACE MISSING AND DAMAGED CEILING PANELS THRU-OUT PREMISES.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. MUST SEAL RUSTY GREASE TRAP UNDER REAR PREP AREA/KITCHEN 3PART SINK.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THRU-OUT PREMISES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: MUST REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES THRU-OUT PREMISES, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

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.