RAMIREZ FAST FOOD Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: REACH-IN COOLERS IN FRONT AND REAR PREP AREA NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE 54.2F AND 61.1F. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR COOLERS MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW. COOLERS ARE TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION AND MUST NOT BE USED UNTIL RE-INSPECTED BY CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A 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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 3 DOZEN RAW EGGS STORED UNDER GRILL AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 70.9F, 30 DOZEN RAW EGGS STORED IN REAR REFRIGERATOR AT 55.0F, PORK 55.8F-59.7F, HAMBURGER PATTIES 53.3F-53.8F, CHICKEN 52.8F STORED IN FRONT REACH-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DISCARD APPROXIMATELY 60LBS AND $100 OF FOOD. ALL COLD FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 40F OR BELOW DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, AND SERVICE. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-38-005A 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.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: LABEL ALL BULK CONTAINERS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS AND SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES PROPERLY STORED: NO REUSE OF SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES - Comments: INVERT ALL MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS TO PROTECT FROM CONTAMINATION.

Consumers need warning about increased risk from raw/undercooked foods.

Required consumer advisories for raw/undercooked foods.

Disclosure and reminder for raw/undercooked animal foods; Written notice on menu; Must identify specific items.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: REPAIR GASKET ON REAR REACH-IN COOLER DOOR. REMOVE RUST DEPOSITS IN BOTTOM OF FRONT REACH-IN COOLER.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: CLEAN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SINKS, AND PREP TABLES.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: REPLACE DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN WASHROOM AND DINING AREAS.

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.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: REPLACE DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN REAR PREP AREA.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: PROVIDE THERMOMETERS IN ALL COOLERS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AND DISH WASHING AREA.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: ELEVATE ALL STOCK OFF FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AND DISH WASHING AREA.

Contaminated cloths spread bacteria across multiple surfaces.

Wiping cloths must be properly sanitized and stored.

Store in sanitizer between uses (200ppm quat or 50-100ppm chlorine); Separate cloths for food and non-food surfaces; Test sanitizer concentration.