NICKY'S CHINESE FOOD Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: All cold food shall be stored at a temperature of 40F or less. IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF RAW SHRIMP 60.5F, CHICKEN 58.6F, HAM 57.2F STORED ON PREP TABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 15LBS AND $30. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38005A 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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: All employees who handle food shall wash their hands as often as necessary to maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and should conform to hygienic practices prescribed by the Board of Health.POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES EMPLOYEES CLEANING EQUIPMENT, SWEEPING AND MOPPING FLOOR AND PREPARING FOOD WITHOUT WASHING HANDS BETWEEN TASKS. EXPOSED HAND SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE BLOCKED BY PREP TABLE AND GARBAGE CAN. HANDS MUST BE WASHED BETWEEN TASKS IN EXPOSED SINK WITH SOAP, WARM WATER AND DRIED PROPERLY. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-010A CITATION ISSUED.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: Equipment and utensils should get proper exposure to the sanitizing solution during the rinse cycle. Bactericidal treatment shall consist of exposure of all dish and utensil surfaces to a rinse of clean water at a temperature of not less than 180F. OBSERVED EMPLOYEE WASHING POTS, PANS AND CONTAINERS IN 2-COMP SINK WITH NO SANITIZER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROPERLY WASH, RINSE AND SANITIZE FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS IN 3-COMP SINK. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED.

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE - Comments: All food establishments shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot and cold water under pressure properly connected to the city water supply. NO HOT WATER AVAILABLE AT ANY SINKS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HOT WATER UNDER CITY PRESSURE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-030 CITATION ISSUED

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers. LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: Containers and utensils shall be inverted, covered, or otherwise protected from contamination until used. All single-service drinking straws and containers shall be discarded immediately after use. INVERT ALL CONTAINERS AND UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: All food and non-food contact equipment and utensils shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable, and shall be in good repair. CLEAN AND PAINT SHELVES IN UNDER FRONT COUNTER AND IN REAR STORAGE AREA, SWING DOOR, ETC.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. CLEAN ALL COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHEVING UNITS, STEAM TABLES, PREP TABLES, SINKS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, CONTAINERS, LIDS, COUNTERS, CUTTING BOARDS, ETC

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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR. CLEAN FLOORS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT ALONG WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS IN WALK-IN COOLER, FREEZER, PREP, STORAGE AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. CLEAN ALL WALLS (SPILLS) AND CEILING VENTS (DUST BUILDUP).

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. PROVIDE END CAPS ON LIGHT SHIELDS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. REPLACE MISSING LIGHT SHIELD IN VENTILATION HOOD.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. REPAIR LEAKING WATER METER IN STORAGE AREA.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors. REMOVE ALL UNUSED EQUIPMENT AND ARTICLES IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: All employees must wear garments that are clean and of washable character and nature. All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR CLEAN APRONS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: All employees must wear garments that are clean and of washable character and nature. All employees shall be required to use effective hair restraints to confine hair. ALL FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR CLEAN APRONS AND HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.