LA TORTA CHILANGA #2 Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: Observed no employee health policy on site. Must provide. Priority foundation 7-38-010.

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: Observed no vomit and diarrhea clean up policy on site. Must provide. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: Observed food handler touch uncooked beef with raw hands and then touch bread. Instructed no bare hand contact with ready to eat foods, such as bread. Instructed must use utensils or wear gloves to handle ready to eat foods. Operator discarded contaminated bread during inspection. Instructed must wash hands and use utensils after switching tasks. Priority violation 7-38-010. Citation issued.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: Observed no labels on TCS foods in coolers. Must label all TCS foods with name and discard date. Priority foundation violation 7-38-005.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: Observed no metal stem thermometer on site. Must provide metal stem thermometer to measure internal food temperature. Priority foundation 7-38-005.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: Observed approximately 20 mice droppings and 1 live roach in dry storage stairwell area. Must detail clean and sanitize area. Must eliminate pest issue. Priority foundation 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.

GLOVES USED PROPERLY - Comments: Observed no gloves on site. Recommended gloves and/or utensils for ready to eat foods.

Improper glove use spreads contamination worse than bare hands.

Single-use gloves must be used correctly.

Wash hands before donning; Change when contaminated; Change between tasks; Single use only; Not a substitute for handwashing.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: Observed drain line from 2 door cooler not properly connected to drain system. (drain line emptying into pan on floor). Must repair.

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 excessive debris and ice accumulation inside chest freezer. Must defrost, clean and sanitize.

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: Backflow prevention device not located on utility sink on main floor and basement utility sink. Must provide back flow prevention device on utility sink.

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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: Observed standing, deep, waste/sewage water in all of basement. Instructed must clean and sanitize basement and storage area at top of stairs of basement. Must repair plumbing issue. Priority violation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: Observed outside garbage area not maintained. Observed lid open and garbage overflowing. Must clean area around garbage container. Must keep all garbage contained in container with lid closed. Observed items on ground near garbage container. Observed excessive grease on outdoor grease container. Instructed must clean grease container. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(B). Citation issued.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: Observed heavily soiled floors throughout kitchen, dry storage and basement. Must detail clean and sanitize. Must elevate all items at least 6 in above the floor.

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: Observed heavily soiled floors throughout kitchen, dry storage and basement. Must detail clean and sanitize. Must elevate all items at least 6 in above the floor.

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.