LAS ISLAS MARIAS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: 2-101.11 OBSERVED THE PERSON-IN-CHARGE (PIC) WITHOUT A FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT THE PIC MUST HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012. NO 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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT 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 OBSERVED NO CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES ON THE PREMISES FOR VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BOTH. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED BOTH OF THE EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINKS INACCESSIBLE FOR USE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION. OBSERVED DIRTY DISHES BEING STORED INSIDE OF BOTH SINKS AND AN EMPLOYEE USING ONE OF THE SINKS TO RINSE A DIRTY UTENSIL. ALSO OBSERVED A STACK OF DISHES STORED IN FRONT OF THE REAR EXPOSED HANDWASHING SINK SO THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED FOR HANDWASHING. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO USE THE HANDWASHING SINKS FOR HANDWASHING ONLY, AND NOT TO STORE OR RINSE DISHES AND UTENSILS INSIDE OF THEM AND TO MAINTAIN THEM ACCESSIBLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C). CITATION ISSUED.

Blocked or unsupplied sinks force employees to skip handwashing, spreading fecal bacteria and viruses to food.

Handwashing sinks must be accessible, properly supplied, and used only for handwashing.

Each sink needs: Warm water (100°F minimum); Soap in dispensers; Paper towels or air dryers; Waste receptacles; Signage; Clear access; Used only for handwashing.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS STORED MORE THAN 24 HOURS (CEVICHE) NOT DATE MARKED TO INDICATE THE DATE IN WHICH THE FOOD MUST BE CONSUMED OR DISCARDED. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DATE MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOODS HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE AND DESCRIBE ALL FOODS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS TO A REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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: 4-302.12 NO METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER WAS PROVIDED ON THE PREMISES TO TAKE HOT AND COLD FOOD TEMPERATURES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A METAL STEM PROBE THERMOMETER TO TAKE FOOD TEMPERATURES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. NO 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: 3-304.14 OBSERVED WET WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON TOP OF THE PREP TABLES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL WET WIPING CLOTHS IN A CONTAINER OF SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-101.11 OBSERVED FROZEN FOODS STORED IN CARDBOARD BOXES AND PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO STORE ALL FOOD IN FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS OR STORAGE BAGS.

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: 4-602.13 CLEAN THE PREP COOLERS, PREP TABLES, STORAGE SHELVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREAS.

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: 5-205.15 REPAIR THE WATER LEAKS UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: 6-501.12 CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: 2-102.13 OBSERVED FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE. MUST SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED - Comments: 2-102.13 OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.

Inadequate allergen knowledge can cause life-threatening allergic reactions.

Food allergen training required for certified managers.

Certified managers must complete allergen training; Staff must understand major allergens; Prevent cross-contact; Respond to customer inquiries.