Mercado del Pueblo Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO BODILY FLUID CLEAN-UP KIT ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE BODILY FLUID CLEAN-UP KIT. 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 HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT KITCHEN HAND WASHING SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS OR HAND DRYING DEVICE AT HAND WASHING SINK IN KITCHEN AND MEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PAPER TOWELS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED COOLERS WITH NO AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE THERMOMETER INSIDE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE THERMOMETERS TO CALL COOLERS.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR TAKING TEMPERATURES OF HOT AND COLD FOODS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 NO PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOGBOOK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 FOOD STORED IN UTILITY ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE FOOD FROM UTILITY R0OM.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO TEST STRIPS ON SITE FOR MEASURING CHEMICAL SANITIZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE TEST STRIPS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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 SERVICE SINK NOT IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE WORKING SERVICE SINK.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED UNCOVERED RECEPTACLES IN STALLS IN WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE LIDS FOR RECEPTACLES.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER RECEPTACLE FOR BUSINESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VERIFIABLE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER RECEPTACLE OR CONTRACT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B)

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 NO VERIFIABLE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER RECEPTACLE FOR BUSINESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VERIFIABLE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER RECEPTACLE OR CONTRACT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B)

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.