LALO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010. NO 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: 2-501.11 NO CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE ON PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A CLEAN-UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: FOUND LOW TEMP DISH MACHINE WITH 0 PPM AT THE RINSE DUE TO EMPTY BUCKET OF CHEMICAL SANITIZER. FOUND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK WITH 0 PPM AT RINSE COMPARTMENT DUE TO EMPTY BUCKET OF SANITIZER. BOTH UNITS WERE REPLACED AND CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND 2 PANS OF COOKED RICE IN THE COLD HOLD DRAWER AT FOOD LINE. PAN 1 AT 49.3 DEGRESS, PAN 2 AT 48.9 DEGREES. PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED AT THIS TIME. TOTAL VALUE 10 LBS RICE $30 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO POST WHERE VISIBLE TO ALL CONSUMERS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: NO STEM THERMOMETER ON SITE TO TAKE TEMPERATURE OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ITEMS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN STEM THERMOMETERS AND OBTAIN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. 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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: WIPING CLOTHS BEING HELD IN A BUCKET OF SANITIZER MUST BE HELD AT ADEQUATE SANITIZER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK QUAT TEST STRIPS INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED DISH REPAIR PERSON ARRIVED WITH STRIPS.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: FLOORS AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING UNDER ALL SHELVES. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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: FLOORS AROUND ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL BUILD UP. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. FLOORS IN BASEMENT STORAGE AREA IN NEED OF CLEANING UNDER ALL SHELVES. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.