NIU Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE WITHOUT SANITIATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN.

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE DURING TIME OF THE INSPECTION WITH VALID CERTIFICATE FOR REVIEW WHILE PREPARING, RICE, SALMON, SHRIMP TEMPURA, CHICKEN. INSTRUCYTED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE CFM WHILE OPEN AND OPERATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-012. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED TWO HANDSINKS LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA AND SUSHI PREP INACCESSIBLE FOR HANDWASHING. NOTED BOWLS, KNIVES, FOOD AND KITCHENWARE STORED INSIDE. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND USE HANDSINKS FOR HANDWASHING ONLY. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED INTERNAL LID OF ICE MACHINE LOCATED IN REAR PREP AREA WITH PINK AND BROWN SLIME BUILDUP DRIPPING ONTO ICE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND SANITIZE. MUST MAINTAIN FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE OF COOLERS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

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 APPROXIMATLEY 35 SMALL BLACK LIVE FLIES FLYING THROUGHOUT PREP AREA ON CEILING ALL PLUMBNG FIXURES, CARDBOARD BOXES, ON EXTERIOR SURFACES OF WALK IN COOLER, NEAR THE DRAIN IN FRONT BAR ATTACHED TO DINING ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE , MUST ELIMINATE

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 COOKED RICE STORED IN BOWL ON FLOOR NEXT TO FRYERS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE. STORING FOOD ON FLOOR IS PROHIBITED.

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 SHELVING UNITS INSIDE OF WALK IN COOLER WITH PREPARED FOODS (CHICKEN, SAUCES, ETC) HEAVULY ACCUMULATED WITH RUST, FOOD SPLATTER AND MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SHELVING UNITS THAT ARE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEABALE. MUST 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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING COOLING UNITS, PREP TABLES, FRYERS, PLUMBING FIXTURES, HOT HOLD UNITS AND MICROWAVES THROUGHOUT PREP AREAS WITH HEAVY ACUUMULATED FOOD SOILS, SPLATTER AND GREASE ON SURFACES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATED DIRT, DUST AND GREASE BUILD ON VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY ACCUMULATED DIRT, DUST AND GREASE BUILD ON VENTILATION SYSTEM ABOVE WOK STATION. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.