ROYAL AFRICANA LOUNGE INC. 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. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: NOTED THE REAR PREP/DISH HAND WASHING SINK NOT ACCESSIBLE FOR USE. SINK COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY A BOX FREEZER AND MANY STORED KITCHEN ITEMS ON THE FLOOR UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. MUST MAKE SINK ACCESSIBLE AND REMOVE ALL STORED ITEMS UNDER AND AROUND THE SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-030(C) 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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL BULK FOODS NOT STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER MUST BE LABELED WITH THE PRODUCT COMMON NAME.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING RAT DROPPINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: APPROXIMATELY 50 DROPPINGS ALONG THE BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA, 15 TO 20 DROPPINGS THROUGHOUT THE REAR STORAGE AREA NEAR THE CUSTOMER WASHROOM, 10 TO 15 DROPPINGS BEHIND BOX FREEZER, COOLER AND COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT, 5 TO 10 DROPPINGS UNDER THE REAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: FRONT EXIT/ENTRANCE DOOR WITH OPEN 1/4 INCH GAP ALONG THE BOTTOM THRESHOLD AND MISSING RODENT PROOF STRIP. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT FITTING SEAL ON ALL AREAS OF THE DOOR.

Pests spread numerous diseases through contamination.

No pests or animals allowed in facility.

No evidence of pests; No live animals except service animals; Effective pest control program.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: ALL POTS, PANS AND COOKING EQUIPMENT, BULK FOOD BUCKETS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED FROM THE FLOORS.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: NOTED KITCHEN CUTTING BOARD IN EXTREMELY POOR CONDITION WITH DEEP BLACKENED GROOVES. 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 THROUGHOUT ALL FREEZERS AND COOLERS.

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: INTERIOR OF THE OVEN AND SOME COOLERS DIRTY WITH FOOD DEBRIS, FOOD CONTACT SHELVING THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN NOTED DIRTY. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST NOT USE RAW WOOD AS LINER UNDER BULK FOOD BUCKETS AND UNDER KITCHEN BOX FREEZERS.----MUST NOT USE TIN FOIL AS LINER FOR SHELVING IN THE KITCHEN. MUST BE SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: NOTED A RUBBER HOSE ATTACHED TO THE UTILITY SERVICE SINK AND SINK WITHOUT A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE. MUST PROVIDE A BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE FOR THE SINK.

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: CRACKED/DAMAGED/MISSING FLOOR TILES ON THE FLOOR AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE REAR PREP/DISH AREA. MUST 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: NOTED DIRTY FLOORS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WITH GREASE AND DEBRIS: UNDER THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, AROUND AND BEHIND THE GREASE TRAP, BEHIND ALL BOX FREEZERS AND KITCHEN COOLERS, UNDER COOKS LINE EQUIPMENT. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.----RAW WOODEN WALL ON THE KITCHEN WEST WALL MUST BE PAINTED/SEALED.---- WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN MUST BE REPLACED.----NOTED TWO HOLES IN THE WALL BASEBOARD BEHIND THE DINING ROOM LEATHER SOFA. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPEN NOTED HOLES.

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: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

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: ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS STORED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORING AND ALL OTHER NEEDED ITEMS MUST BE STORED ELEVATED AND ORGANIZED: THROUGHOUT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA, REAR EXIT DOOR AREA AT CUSTOMER WASHROOM, REAR PREP/DISH ROOM.-----DIRTY, UNUSED TALL REACH-IN COOLER AT THE FRONT CASHIER AREA MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES.

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.