OSTIONERIA RESTAURANT EL EL TECOLOTE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO 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 PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS ON PREMISES DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO COMPLY, ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY CLEAN-UP KIT ITEMS. 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.

FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED - Comments: OBSERVED THE ICE SCOOPER STORED INSIDE THE ICE OF THE ICE MACHINE IN THE KITCHEN. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY TO EAT/TCS FOODS (CHICKEN, SHRIMP, ETC) WITHOUT PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION. INSTRUCTED THAT ALL TCS FOODS BEING PREPARED ON PREMISES AND STORED FOR OVER 24 HOURS MUST HAVE PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW/UNDER COOKED ANIMAL BASED FOOD ITEMS ON THE MENU. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER ON MENU FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED ANIMAL BASED FOOD ITEMS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: OBSERVED LARGE CONTAINERS IN THE REAR BACK OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS WITH SUGAR, SALT, FLOUR, ETC.) INSTRUCTED THAT BULK CONTAINERS MUST PROPERLY LABELED

Missing allergen labeling can cause severe allergic reactions.

All food properly labeled with required information.

Common name; Ingredients; Allergen declarations; Date marking; Manufacturer info; Net quantity.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OBSERVED A SOUP SPOON INSIDE A LARGE BULK CONTAINER OF SALAS IN THE FRONT COOLER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED SINGLE USE SERVICE ARTICLES (SPOONS) STORED INSIDE THE CUPS OF SALSA IN THE FRONT COOLER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED BLACK CRATES BEING USED TO STORE FOOD ITEMS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER------OBSERVED BLACK CRATES AND WOODEN CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER.--------OBSERVED PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS BEING USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE/REPLACE WITH FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS AND 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 FOOD CONTACT SURFACES OF THE STOVE, OVENS, AND DEEP FRYERS ENCASED WITH GREASE AND DIRT DEPOSITS. 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE ON THE MOP SINK IN THE REAR KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND INSTALL FOR SERVICING.

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 THE FLOORS THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN AREA IN DISREPAIR AND ROUGH SURFACED. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AS FLOORS SHOULD BE SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED NO LIGHT SHIELDS ON THE LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN AREA, KITCHEN PREP AREA, AND IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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 NO LIGHT SHIELDS ON THE LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN AREA, KITCHEN PREP AREA, AND IN THE REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE 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.