MEI FOOD Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED 2-3 FOOD HANDLERS EATTING THROUGHOUT REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER FOOD HANDLERS MUST EAT IN DESIGNATED AREA IN THE FACILITY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED TWO CONTAINERS OF SHELLSTOCK WITHOUT TAGS LOCATED IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INFORMED MANAGER THAT TAG MUST REMAIN ATTACHED TO CONTAINER UNTIL CONTAINER IS EMPTY. APPROXIMATELY 8LBS AT $80 WORTH OF SHELLSTOCK DISCARDED AND DENATURED AT THIS TIME. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE APPROVAL SOURCES OF SHELLFISH AND MAINTAIN TAGS FOR 90 DAYS ON PREMISES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005, CITATION ISSUED

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN THE PREP COOLER ACROSS FROM THE DEEP FRYING UNITS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED AN ELECTRIC INSECT DEVICE STORED AOBVE THE FREEZER UNIT IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO RELOCATE SAID INSECT CONTROL DEVICE FROM ABOVE FOOD ITEMS AND SURFACES.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED TWO METAL BOWLS OF NOODLES IN WATER UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND POT OF STOCK STORED ON THE FLOOR NEAR THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REFRAIN FROM STORING FOOD ON THE FLOOR AND MAINTAIN.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED 3 FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED BALLS OF PLASTIC BEING USED AS SINK STOPPERS FOR THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THREE APPROPRIATE SINK STOPPERS AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED SLIGHT GREASE ENCRUSTED ON THE SIDES OF THE COOKING EQUIPMENT UNDER THE VENTILATION HOOD AND ALSO THE SHELF UNDER THE FOOD PREP TABELE ACROSS FROM THE COOKING LINE NOT CLEAN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ENCRUSTED GREASE AND CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL MENTIONED SURFACES.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE MICROWAVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH FOOD SPLATTERS AND NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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 THE FLOORS IN THE DRY STORAGE CLOSET WITH RICE, FLOUR, AND NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID FLOORS 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: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN THE DRY STORAGE CLOSET WITH RICE, FLOUR, AND NOT MAINTAINED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID FLOORS 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.