Pepe's Mexican Restaurant 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 PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 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 WRITTEN PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: OBSERVED READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS, OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS (RICE, BEANS) WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING PRODUCT NAME IN THE WALK IN COOLER, WALK IN FREEZER, REFRIGERATORS AND IN THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR LOCATED IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 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 ADVIOSRY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE OR A REMINDER LOCATED ON THE MENU FOR ALL TCS FOODS (EGGS, BEEF) THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER FOR ALL PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION. 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 & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING RE-USED AS A SHELF LINER LOCATED ON THE PREP TABLES AND SHELVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED CARDBOARD BEING RE-USED AS A SHELF LINER LOCATED ON THE PREP TABLES AND SHELVES IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO MAKE ALL SURFACES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

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.