ML KITCHEN INC. Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO VOMIT/DIARRHEA CLEANUP KIT OR WRITTEN PROCEDURES ON SITE AT INSPECTION TIME. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005. 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 COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: FOUND COLD TCS FOODS AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES IN THE 3-DOOR PREP COOLER. RAW CHICKEN, RAW BEEF, AND RAW SHRIMP ARE FOUND AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 47F TO 49F. INSTRUCTED TO DISCARD AND DENATURE SAID TCS FOODS AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN ALL COLD-HOLDING TCS FOODS AT OR BELOW 41F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED. FOOD DISCARDED.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A MOLD-LIKE BUILD-UP, DIRT, AND GREASE ON THE METAL SHELVING UNITS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST DETAIL CLEAN SHELVING AND MAINTENANCE.

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: OBSERVED THE LEFT SINK (ONE OUT OF TWO SINKS) IN THE WOMEN'S WASHROOM AT 82F. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO REPAIR SO THE SINK MAINTAINS A HOT WATER TEMPERATURE OF 100-120F.

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: OBSERVED FLOOR TILES MISSING GROUT IN THE DISHWASHING AREA. MUST RE-GROUT THE FLOOR TILES IN THE DISHWASHING AREA AND MAINTAIN THEM.

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: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE CLUTTER AND UNNECESSARY ARTICLES STORED THROUGHOUT THE BASEMENT. MUST REMOVE ALL ITEMS/ARTICLES UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION, DETAIL CLEAN AREA, AND ORGANIZE ALL REMAINING ITEMS, STORING OFF THE FLOOR TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FACILITY CLEANING.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE OR PREPARE FOOD MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT MANAGERS. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HANDLE OR PREPARE FOOD MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.