PACO'S TACOS 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 SITE. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP SIGNED COPIES OF HEALTH POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ON PREMISES. 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 VOMIT AND DIARRHEAL CLEAN UP KIT ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS AND SANITIZER EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO HANDWASH SIGN AT HANDWASH SINK NEAR CASH REGISTER AND NEAR FLAT TOP GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO PUT UP SIGNS AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED IMPROPER DATE MARKING. INSTRUCTED TO MARK ALL READY-TO-EAT, TCS FOOD, PREPARED ON SITE AND HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS WITH DATE OF CREATION AND DISPOSAL DATE. 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBERVED LARGE TRASH CANS BEING USED TO STORE PORK AND BEEF. INSTRUCTED TO KEEP ALL INGREDIENTS IN FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL LARGE COOKING POTS UNABLE TO BE FULLY SUBMERGED IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE FULLY SUBMERGED IN 3-COMPARTMENT SINK OR HAVE WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR ALTERNATIVE MANUAL WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT.

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: OBSERVED A BUILD UP OF BLACK, SLIMY SUBSTANCE ON GASKET OF REACH IN FREEZER IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN, SANITIZE, 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 UTILITY SINK IN BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED NO LIGHTBULBS IN HOOD OVER GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN WORKING LIGHTBULBS.

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 LIGHTBULBS IN HOOD OVER GRILL. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN WORKING LIGHTBULBS.

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.