PEPE TACO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010

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 PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005

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 HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN FRONT BEVERAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO POST HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.

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: NO DATE MARKING SYSTEM AVAILABLE DURING INSPECTION. OBSERVED READY TO EAT TCS FOOD(SHREDDED LETTUCE, TOMATOES, CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, SALSA) NOT LABELED AND DATED IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL AND DATE ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOOD HELD MORE THAN 24 HOURS IN COOLER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED SODA DISPENSER UNITS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AND FOOD STORED ON FLOOR IN WALK-IN COOLER AND FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO ELEVATE FOOD SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR IN ALL WALK-IN COOLER AND STORAGE AREAS.

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 SOILED CARDBOARD USED AS LINERS ON SHELVING UNIT IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE CARDBOARD ALL SHELVING UNITS SHALL BE 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO PREP SINK IN FRONT BAR AREA WHERE SMOOTHIES ARE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL PREP SINK IN FRONT BEVERAGE AREA.

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 DUST BUILDUP ON CEILING VENTS IN PREP AND WASHROOM AREAS.

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 INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLER.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED NO VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE VALID FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

Smoking contaminates hands and food with nicotine and tar residues.

Smoking prohibited in food establishments.

No smoking in any part of establishment; Designated areas away from food; Proper signage posted.