LA PLACITA Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: PREP COOLER NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 56.2F, INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR. PREP COOLER MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW. COOLER IS TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST BE USED UNTIL REINSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED CHORIZO 58.1F, SOUR CREAM 57.6F, RAW BEEF 53.4F, BREADED CHICKEN 52.3F, STEAK 51.2F HOT DOGS 50.1F, HAM 50.2F, DICED TOMATOES 49.8F STORED IN PREP COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY AND $50 OF FOOD. ALL COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY, AND SERVICE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTEROR OF SLICER, CUTTING SAW, CUTTING BOARDS, KNIFE RACK, PREP TABLES, ICE MACHINE.

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: REMOVE CARDBOARD FROM FLOORS IN MEAT PREP AND FRYING AREAS FOR EASY CLEANING AND PEST CONTROL.

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: REPAIR CEILING NEAR WINDOW IN TAQUERIA(PEELING PAINT).

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS OR SHATTERPROOF BULBS IN TAQUERIA.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INSTALL AN EXPOSED HAND SINK WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER, SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS IN REAR PREP AND COOKING AREAS.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: PROVIDE THERMOMETER IN FRONT PREP COOLER IN TAQUERIA AREA.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION AT THE REQUIRED PPM.

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.

FOOD (ICE) DISPENSING UTENSILS, WASH CLOTHS PROPERLY STORED - Comments: STORE WASH CLOTHS IN SANITIZING SOLUTION AT THE REQUIRED PPM.

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.