LAS ISLAS MARIAS 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 WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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: OBSERVED NO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA CLEAN UP KIT/PROCEDURE ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS, AND CORRESPONDING EQUIPMENT OUTLINE IN PROCEDURE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF BROWN, AND BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCES THROUGHOUT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE BEFORE FURTHER USE. ICE MACHINE TURNED OFF DURING INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO 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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES IN THE 3 DOOR COOLER IN REAR, AND INSIDE PREP COOLER IN KITCHEN AREA. FOUND SHRIMP @ 50.7F-78.4F; OYSTERS IN HALF SHELL @ 45.7F; FISH @ 51.7F; DICED TOMATOES @ 55.4F; CLAMS AT 58.3F; SQUID @ 56.3F; CRAB @ 50F AND SCALLOPS @ 45.3F. INSTRUCTED ALL TCS FOODS MUST BE HELD @ 41F OR LESS AT ALL TIMES WHEN COLD HOLDING. OPERATOR VOLUNTARILY DISCARDED 30LBS OF DENATURED FOODS DURING INSPECTION. OPERATOR ESTIMATES VALUE TO BE $500. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED NO LABELS ON ANY PREPPED FOODS IN FACILITY. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL PREPPED TCS FOODS WITH DISCARD DATE NO MORE THAN 7 DAY FROM PREPARATION DATE. MUST CORRECT AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE 2 REFRIGERATION UNITS IN PREP AREA AND KITCHEN. FOUND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 48.2F INSIDE 3 GLASS DOOR COOLER IN REAR PREP AREA, AND AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 46F INSIDE PREP COOLER IN KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED MUST MAINTAIN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 41F OR LESS IN ALL REFRIGERATION. ALL TCS FOODS REMOVED AND UNITS TAGGED AND HELD FOR INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE PREP COOLERS. MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS SPOT IN ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DIRT BUILD UP ON STORAGE SHELVES IN THE FRONT FOOD PREP AREA, INTERIORS OF DEEP FRYERS, BROILER, AND GRILL. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVILY SOILED FLOORS UNDER COOKING EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN, AND IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-501.14 CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 6-501.14 CLEAN THE GREASE ON THE VENTILATION HOOD AND FILTERS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.