POKE BURRITO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES - Comments: OBSERVED PERSON IN CHARGE NOT ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED FOR FOOD PREPARATION AND FACILITY KNOWLEDGE. PERSON IN CHARGE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECTLY RESPOND TO THE INSPECTOR'S QUESTIONS. EDUCATED PERSON IN CHARGE OF PROPER FOOD HANDLING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION

Without knowledgeable supervision, critical food safety practices may be overlooked, significantly increasing risk of foodborne illness outbreaks affecting multiple customers.

The person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, hold valid certification, and demonstrate food safety knowledge.

Person in charge must: Be present during all operating hours; Hold valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate; Demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, HACCP principles, and Code requirements; Ensure employee compliance with food safety practices.

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED FICILITY WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE OR POSTED WHILE PREPPING AND SERVING HOT & COLD FOOD ITEMS OFFERED ON MENU. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TCS FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING AND OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.

Lack of certification indicates potential gaps in food safety knowledge, increasing risk of improper food handling and foodborne illness.

Valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate required and must be posted.

Certificate must be: Current and valid; Posted conspicuously in public view; Held by person in charge during all operating hours; Renewed before expiration date.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14 N OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE 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 VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE. 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 FACILITY WITHOUT HAND SINK IN FRONT FOOD PREP AREA. MUST INSTALL AND MAINTAIN HAND SINK UNDER/CONNECTED TO CITY PRESSURE IN FRONT PREP AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C). NO CITATION ISSUED

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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT EMPLOYEE HAND WASH SIGNAGE IN EMPLOYEE RESTROOM OF FACILITY. MUST OBTAIN 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.

REQUIRED RECORDS AVAILABLE: SHELLSTOCK TAGS, PARASITE DESTRUCTION - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION OR PROPER RECORDS FOR PARASITE DESTRUCTION ON SITE FOR FACILITY FOR SUSHI IN MEAT DEPARTMENT AREA PREP KITCHEN. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGED REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN IN FACILITY FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.

Uncorrected violations continue posing health risks and often worsen over time.

Previous critical violations must be corrected.

All previous violations corrected within required timeframes; Critical violations corrected immediately; Documentation of corrections maintained.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: 3-603.11 OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR FOOD ITEMS/PRODUCTS OFFERED AND REMINDER * STATEMENT FOR THE FOOD PRODUCTS OFFERED. MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ON MENU. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT pH TEST STRIPS FOR SUSHI RICE IN PREP KITCHEN AT SUSHI RICE AREA OR REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN TEST STRIPS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE pH METER. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005

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: OBSERVED NO DOCUMENTATION OF PROPOSED VARIANCE AND JUSTIFICATION FOR FACILITY DURING TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF PROPOSED VARIANCE AND JUSTIFICATION ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES WHEN THERE IS NO HACCP OR VARIANCE ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. SEE VIOLATION #29

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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: OBSERVED CHICKEN AND FISH THAWING ON PREP TABLE IN REAR FOOD PREP KITCHEN AREA. INFORMED FOOD HANDLER OF APPROVED THAWING METHODS, FACILITY MUST UTILIZE PROPER THAWING METHODS WHEN THAWING FOOD ITEMS IN FACILITY AND MAINTAIN.

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY MISSING REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES ON SITE FOR INSPECTION REVIEW.

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 FACILITY MISSING REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED FOOD HANDLER TRAINING CERTIFICATION FOR ALL FOOD HANDLER EMPLOYEES ON SITE FOR INSPECTION REVIEW.

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.