MERCADITO LA MONARCA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FORMS ON-SITE. INFORMED PERSON-IN-CHARGE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY REQUIREMENT AND PROVIDED COPY OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FORMS AND MAINTAIN FORMS ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.

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.

PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Comments: OBSERVED LARGE DELI COOLER IN FOOD PREPARATION AREA COOLER INOPERABLE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE COOLER AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR AND OPERABLE AT 41.0F OR BELOW. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG ON-SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. FACILITY DOES NOT HAVE ROUTINE PEST CONTROL SERVICE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE AND PEST CONTROL SERVICE LOG, AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C).

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 NO PHYSICAL BARRIER BETWEEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND PUBLIC. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL BARRIER BETWEEN FOOD PREPARATION AREA AND AREAS THAT ARE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE TO PREVENT PERSONS UNNECESSARY TO FOOD OPERATIONS FROM ENTERING FOOD PREPRATION AREAS AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED NONFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES OF FRONT CASHIER AREA SHELVES TO BE CONSTRUCTED OF RAW WOOD AND NOT SMOOTH OR EASILY-CLEANABLE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE RAW WOOD OR TREAT WOOD TO ALLOW FOR SMOOTH AND EASILY-CLEANABLE SURFACE 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 NO DRAINBOARD PROVIDED AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL DRAINBOARD AT 3-COMPARTMENT SINK FOR ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE DRAINAGE OF WATER FROM CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND AIR DRYING 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED 3-COMPARTMENT SINK BASINS NOT SUFFICIENT IN SIZE TO ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVE CLEANING AND SANITIZING OF ALL EQUIPMENT ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE EXISTING 3-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH LARGER FIXTURE THAT ALLOWS ALL MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT TO BE FULLY-SUBMERGED AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-025.

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 ICE MACHINE THAT IS NOT IN-USE MISSING BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INSTAL BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR ICE MACHINE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD REPAIR.

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.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: OBSERVED WASTE WATER LEAKING IN BASEMENT FROM PIPES INSTALLED IN FOUNDATION. PERSON-IN-CHARGE STATES FACILITY IS AWAITING SERVICE TO DIRECT WASTE WATER TO BASEMENT SEWAGE DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PIPES TO ALLOW WASTE WATER TO DRAIN INTO BASEMENT DRAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.

SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED - Comments: OBSERVED WASTE WATER LEAKING IN BASEMENT FROM PIPES INSTALLED IN FOUNDATION. PERSON-IN-CHARGE STATES FACILITY IS AWAITING SERVICE TO DIRECT WASTE WATER TO BASEMENT SEWAGE DRAIN. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR PIPES TO ALLOW WASTE WATER TO DRAIN INTO BASEMENT DRAIN. PRIORITY VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C).

Improper disposal contaminates environment and attracts pests.

All waste water must be properly disposed.

Discharge to approved sewer; No dumping outside; Grease trap maintained; No floor draining to exterior.