PHO'S THAI CUISINE Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. MUST PROVIDE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. NO CITATION AT THIS TIME.

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.

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: OBSERVED A PLATE OF COOKED NOODLES WITH A FORK IN IT. EMPLOYEES MUST NOT EAT THE FOOD PREPARATION AREA.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE COOKS LINE TWO DOOR COOLER. MUST PROVIDE/REPLACE.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: NOTED A BULK FOOD CONTAINER IN THE REAR PREP MISLABELED WITH THE WRONG PRODUCT NAME. MUST PROPERLY LABEL ALL BULK FOODS.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED A BAG OF FRESH CARROTS STORED DIRECTLY ON THE FLOOR. MUST PROPERLY STORE ALL FOODS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION.

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: NOTED A METAL MESH FOOD STRAINER IN EQUIPMENT STORAGE IN EXTREMELY POOR REPAIR.----ALSO NOTED A CLOTH MESH STRAINER BADLY STAINED AND SOILED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN ALL IN GOOD REPAIR.

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: NOTED AN EXTREMELY STAINED AND DAMAGED CUTTING BOARD IN THE REAR EQUIPMENT STORAGE. MUST REPLACE.

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: MUST NOT USE GROCERY BAGS AS FOOD CONTAINERS INSIDE THE COOLERS. MUST USE WASHABLE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAGS.----NOTED PLASTIC LID FOR FOOD CONTAINER INSIDE A COOLER CRACKED AND DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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: NOTED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER MOUNTED ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE REAR PREP TABLE EXTREMLY DIRTY WITH ENCRUSTED SPLATTERED FOOD DEBRIS. MUST 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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: NOTED PILED, EMPTY FOOD CARDBOARD BOXES ON THE REAR PATIO LEADING TO THE WASTE CONTAINER AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE AND MAINTAIN CLEAN.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MISSING BASEBOARD COVING BEHIND THE METAL RACK FOOD CART AT THE KITCHEN ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CRACKED, DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER THE LEGS OF THE COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND 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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: CRACKED, DAMAGED AND MISSING FLOOR TILES UNDER THE LEGS OF THE COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST REPLACE TO BE SMOOTH AND 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.