MARISCOS EL KORA, INC. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

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

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 procedure or kit on site. Must provide written procedure for the clean up of vomit and diarrheal events, and corresponding equipment. Priority foundation violation.

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 shrimp peeling machine in room in rear (through rear kitchen door near walk in cooler) without required hand sink. Must install a dedicated, exposed hand sink in this room with adequate city pressure, hot/cold water, soap and sanitary means to dry hands, and hand washing sign. Priority foundation violation.

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 small amount of pink/brown, slimy, mold like substance on plastic parts of interior of ice machine. Must detail clean and sanitize. Operator cleaned and sanitized during inspection.

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 DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: Observed improper date marking on prepped TCS foods in coolers and walk in cooler. Must label all prepped, TCS foods with discard dates. Must maintain same. Priority foundation violation.

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: Observed reminders not provided on menu. Must provide disclosure statement and reminders (*) that it pertains to on menu. Priority foundation violation.

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.

HOT & COLD WATER AVAILABLE; ADEQUATE PRESSURE - Comments: Observed inadequate supply of hot water in facility. Hot water temperatures ranging from 72.3F - 82.9F at hand sinks, 3 compartment sinks, and washbowl sinks in facility. Must provide adequate supply of hot water available at all sinks at all times. Must provide minimum hot water temperature of 100F at hand sinks and washbowl sinks, and 110F at 3 compartment sinks. Operator restored hot water during inspection to 120F at 3 compartment sink and 101F at hand/washbowl sinks. Priority violation 7-38-030(c). Citation issued.

Without proper water temperatures, cannot sanitize or clean properly.

Adequate hot and cold running water required.

Hot water 120°F minimum at fixtures; Cold water available; Sufficient pressure; From approved source.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: Observed cardboard used as floor mats. Instructed must remove. Cardboard is not an approved floor covering due to it being porous. All surfaces must be non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable.

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 cardboard used as floor mats. Instructed must remove. Cardboard is not an approved floor covering due to it being porous. All surfaces must be non-porous, smooth and easily cleanable.

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.