POCHOS Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: FOUND FOOD HANDLERS WITHOUT A RECORD OF SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. INSTRUCTED MANAGERS TO PROVIDE A VERIFIABLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES TO DISEASES THAT ARE TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD TO THE PIC. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: FOUND NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE AT HANDWASHING SINK LOCATED IN DISH WASHING AREA. HANDWASHING SIGNAGE MUST BE POSTED AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS AT ALL TIMES.

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: FOUND IN-HOUSE PICKLES WITH A 3/7 PREPARED-BY DATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE DISCARD DATE FOR ALL TCS FOODS HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. THE MANAGER DISCARDS 6 LBS OF PICKLES AT $15. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. 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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: FOUND HOUSEMADE PICKLES ON SITE. A RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SHALL OBTAIN AN APPROVED VARIANCE FROM CDPH BEFORE FERMENTING FOOD. HOUSE MADE PICKLES WERE DISCARDED. INSTRUCTED OPERATOR TO NO LONGER PREPARE, SELL, OR SERVE SAID FOOD ITEM UNTIL HACCP AND A VARIANCE ARE APPROVED BY CDPH. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATIONS ISSUED. FOOD DISCARDED.

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: FOUND NO HACCP OR VARIANCE ON SITE. APPROVED HACCP AND VARIANCE IS REQUIRED FOR FERMENTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED FOOD DISCARDED.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: FOUND NO HACCP OR VARIANCE ON SITE. APPROVED HACCP AND VARIANCE IS REQUIRED FOR FERMENTING. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED FOOD DISCARDED.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.