MELI CAFE ON DEARBORN Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE 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 VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT (GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS, SANITIZER) ON SITE. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEES WASH HANDS SIGNAGE IN RESTROOM OF FACILITY UTILIZED FOR EMPLOYEES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN SIGNAGE.

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.

PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD NOT MEETING TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS, READY TO EAT TURKEY 1 FIVE POUND PAN OF AT 56.2 DEGREES F AND 2 FIVE POUND PAN OF SLICE TOMATO 47.6 DEGREES F PREP REACH IN COOLER IN FRONT PREP AREA. COLD HOLDING MUST REMAIN AT 41 DEGREES F OR BELOW REQUIRED TEMPERATURE. PERSON IN CHARGE VOLUNTARY DISCARDED FOOD ITEMS NOT MEETING REQUIREMENTS. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE OF REQUIREMENTS. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED. APPROX 4 POUNDS $50.

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 FACILITY MISSING DATE MARKING FOR READY TO EAT TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR FOOD SAFETY ITEM, COOKED AND COOLED CHICKEN, PASTA, PORK, STEWS, SOUPS ETC. STORED INSIDE WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLERS LOCATED IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO ALWAYS DATE MARK FOOD ITEMS STORE MORE THAT 24 HOURS IN FACILITY. 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.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR FOOD ITEMS/PRODUCTS OFFERED REMINDER * STATEMENT FOR THE FOOD PRODUCTS OFFERED. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED TURKEY THAWING INSIDE PREP SINK WITH STAGNANT WATER IN REAR FOOD PREP KITCHEN NEAR DRY STORAGE AREA. INFORMED FOOD HANDLER OF APPROVED THAWING METHODS, FACILITY MUST UTILIZE PROPER THAWING METHODS WHEN THAWING FOOD ITEMS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING THERMOMETERS FOR WALK IN COOLERS AND REACH IN COOLER THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST OBTAIN 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVILY SCORED CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP GROOVES. MUST REPLACE 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: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT CHEMICAL TEST KIT/STRIPS FOR TESTING SANITIZER RESIDUAL FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZERS USED IN FACILITY AND TESTING DEVICES. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN CHEMICAL TEST KIT IN FACILITY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED. PURE FORCE OBTAINED TEST KIT FOR FACILITY AT END OF INSPECTION.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY MECHANICAL WARE WASHING MACHINE WASH SOLUTION TEMPERATURE NOT MEETING REQUIREMENTS; WASH SOLUTION AT 140 DEGREES F IN REAR PREP AREA OF FACILITY. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE WASH SOLUTION MUST BE AT 160 DEGREES F AND MAINTAIN FOR WASH SOLUTION CYCLE. PURE FORCE REPAIRED MACHINE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025. CITATION CONSOLIDATED

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED HAND SINK IN REAR PREP AREA NEAR REACH IN COOLER IN DISREPAIR (FAUCET LEAKING). MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY REFUSE FULL, WILL NOT HAVE ROOM OF DAILY GARBAGE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE FACILITY MUST INCREASE FREQUENCY OF REMOVAL AT FACILITY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE CONDITION AND MAINTAIN.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY REFUSE FULL, WILL NOT HAVE ROOM OF DAILY GARBAGE. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE FACILITY MUST INCREASE FREQUENCY OF REMOVAL AT FACILITY TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE CONDITION AND MAINTAIN.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.