Mekato's Colombian Bakery Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14(A)- NO HEALTH EMPLOYEE POLICY. MUST PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012(A) 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- NO PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING WHEN AN EMPLOYEE OR A PATRON EXPERIENCES VOMITING AND/OR DIARRHEA. MUST PROVIDE. 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17(C)-ALL REFRIGERATED READY TO EAT TIME TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD MUST BE PROPERLY LABELED AND DATED. 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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-602.11-ALL PACKAGED FOODS FOR SALE MUST BE LABELED WITH COMMON NAME OF THE PRODUCT, LIST OF INGREDIENTS, NET QUANTITY, NAME AND PLACE OF THE BUSINESS.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: 2-402.11(A)-OBSERVED ONE EMPLOYEE PREPARING DOUGH IN THE PREP AREA NOT WEARING HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINT TO CONFINE THE HAIR.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: 3-304.14(D) ALL WIPING CLOTH FOR WIPING THE CHOPPING BOARD, PREP TABLES ,COOLERS, MUST BE STORED ON A BUCKET WITH SANITIZING SOLUTION IN BETWEEN USES.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: 3-304,12(A) FOUND SCOOP FOR THE FLOUR INSIDE THE FLOUR CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PUT SCOOP OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER HANDLED UP ON A SEPARATE CONTAINER NOT ON TOP OF THE FLOUR.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: 4-904.11(A) ALL CLEANED SINGLE USE UTENSILS, POTS, PANS, TRAYS, FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE STORED UPSIDE DOWN/INVERTED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-201.11-FOUND GROCERY BAG BEING USED TO STORE FROZEN MEAT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE WITH FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAG AND MAINTAIN. MUST REMOVE CARDBOARD BEING USED AS SHELVE LINER INSIDE THE WALK IN FREEZER AND MAINTAIN.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: 4-603.15(A) MUST REPLACE EXTRA LARGE POTS,PANS, WITH SMALLER ONES SO IT WILL FIT ON THE 3 COMPT SINK TO BE ABLE TO WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE. OR INSTALL A BIGGER 3 COMPT SINK.

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: 4-601.11(C)-MUST DETAIL CLEAN THE ONE BURNER STOVE WITH ENCRUSTED GREASE ON THE TOP EXTERIOR OF THE STOVE AND MAINTAIN.

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: 5-204.12-CAN NOT FIND THE BACK FLOW PREVENTER DEVICE FOR THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED TO VERIFY WHERE THE BACKFLOW IS LOCATED.

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: 6-201.11-PEELING PAINT ON THE WALLS BY THE WINDOW IN THE DINNING AREA. MUST SCRAPE PEELING PAINT AND RE PAINT.

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: 6-211.11- FLOOR UNDER AND BEHIND THE SHELVINGS IN THE STORAGE AREA AND AROUND THE WATER HEATER WITH DEBRIS, AND DUST BUILD-UP. MUST CLEAN 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: 6-501.11-BROKEN,CRACKED FLOOR TILES ON THE DINING AREA CLOSE TO THE HOT HOLDING UNIT. MUST REPAIR 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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: 4-301.11-VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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: 4-301.11-VENTILATION IN THE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM NOT WORKING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.