LAS ISLAS MARIAS Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: SEE VIOLATION #60.

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT ALL WASHBOWL AND HAND WASHING SINKS.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BLACK AND BROWN, SLIMY, MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCES THROUGHOUT INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE, AND COMING IN CONTACT WITH ICE. MUST REMOVE SUBSTANCE, DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE MACHINE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER THAWING METHOD IN USE. OBSERVED FISH AND CRAB SITTING IN STANDING WATER IN 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. (CRAB @ 38.8F AND FISH @ 41F)INSTRUCTED MUST USE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING APPROVED METHOD FOR THAWING: IN REFRIGERATION, IN A MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS, OR COMPLETELY SUBMERGED UNDER RUNNING WATER WITH SUFFICIENT WATER VELOCITY TO AGITATE AND FLOAT OFF LOOSE PARTICLES IN AN OVERLFOW. MANAGER CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION.

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.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE A THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS SPOT INSIDE ALL REFRIGERATION.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST WRITE DATE OF LAST PIECE OF SHELLFISH SOLD DIRECTLY ON SHELLFISH TAGS BEFORE FILING. MUST MAINTAIN RECORDS FOR 90 DAYS.

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED ICE SCOOP IMPROPERLY STORED ON TOP OF GLASSWEAR ON TOP OF ICE MACHINE, AND BOWLS USED AS SCOOPS INSIDE SEVERAL CONTAINERS OF CONDIMENTS. MUST USE SCOOPS WITH HANDLES ONLY, AND MUST STORE INSIDE FOOD WITH HANDLES FACING UP, OR IN A CLEAN, DRY CONTAINER.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SIDES AND BOTTOMS OF TABLES AND OUTSIDE OF SINKS TO BE HEAVILY SOILED. MUST DETAIL CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL SURFACES IN REAR PREP AREA. MUST MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: MUST PROVIDE COVERED RECEPTACLES INSIDE ALL RESTROOMS.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: SEE VIOLATION # 60

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: OBSERVED INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN COOKING AREA OF PREP. MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO ALLOW FOR PROPER CLEANING.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: MUST PROVIDE VALID CERTIFICATES/PROOF OF ENROLLMENT OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL STAFF THAT HANDLES FOOD, INCLUDING PREP, COOKS, AND WAIT STAFF.

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: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL MANAGERS.

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: MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR ALL MANAGERS.

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.