MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB AND HOTEL Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK IN THE DISH ROOM AREA TO BE INACCESSIBLE FOR USE. THERE WAS A ROLLING CART PLACED IN FRONT OF THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS STORED INSIDE OF THE SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE FOR USE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP PROVIDED AT THE EXPOSED HAND WASHING SINK AT THE PIZZA PREP STATION. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND SOAP AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). SEE VIOLATION #10 ABOVE FOR CITATION.

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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: NO SANITIZER WAS DETECTED AT THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AT THE JUICE BAR AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE MACHINE WITH A FINAL RINSE OF 100 PPM CHLORINE. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025.

Dirty equipment harbors and spreads pathogens, causing cross-contamination and illness.

All food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

Wash, rinse, sanitize after each use; Clean between different raw foods; Every 4 hours for continuous use; When contaminated; Proper procedures and chemicals.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE ON THE MENU FOR RAW OR UNDERCOOKED FOODS. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE OR DESCRIBE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED AND LINK THOSE ITEMS WITH AN ASTERISK TO THE REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MENU. MUST ALSO INCLUDE BEFORE THE REMINDER STATEMENT THAT "THESE FOODS CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED." PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.

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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED A VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINE AND VACUUM PACKAGED FOODS (MEAT AND FISH) STORED IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER WITHOUT AN APPROVED HACCP PROGRAM. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A HACCP PLAN APPROVED BY CDPH BEFORE VACUUM PACKAGING ANY FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: NO VARIANCE PROVIDED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS SUCH AS VACUUM PACKAGING MEAT AND FISH. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A HACCP PROGRAM APPROVED BY CDPH BEFORE VACUUM PACKAGING ANY FOOD. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. SEE VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLERS PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE PREPARING FOOD.

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 NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS PROVIDED TO MEASURE THE SANITIZER CONCENTRATION OF THE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE AND FOR THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR THE DISH MACHINE AND 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MILK COOLER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE MILK COOLER IN THE REAR FOOD PREP AREA.

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.