SALAM RESTAURANT Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITY NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE, FOUND FRONT PREP AREA TWO DOORS PREP REACH IN COOLER AT 52.8F, INADEQUATE FOOD PROTECTION. INSTRUCTED COLD HOLDING UNIT/COLLER MUST BE BELOW 40F, MUST REPAIR COOLER. HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG PLACED ON UNIT, WHEN COOLER IS REPAIRED TO FAX/EMAIL LETTER REQUESTING TAG REMOVAL. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-005(A).

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: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES INSIDE ABOVE COOLER; 15 LBS OF COOKED PEAS AT 61.1F, 2LBS. COOKED GARBANZO BEANS AT 58.6F AND 2LBS. CHICHEN AT 50.3. INSTRUCTED COLD POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS MUST BE AT 40F OR BELOW. FOOD ITEMS DISCARDED. V-$60. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-005(A).

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.

NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS - Comments: OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF RODENT ACTIVITY AT REAR STORAGE AREA NEAR EMPLOYEES WASHROOM. OVER 30 MICE DROPPINGS NOTED ALONG WEST AND SOUTH WALLS AND OVER 15 INSIDE A CABINET AT SAME AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DROPPINGS, CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS. ADVICED TO CALL PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED, 7-38-020.

Unprotected openings allow pest entry, leading to contamination of food and surfaces.

Building openings must be protected against pest entry.

Doors tight-fitting and self-closing; Windows screened; Openings sealed; Pest control log maintained; Regular monitoring; Professional service when needed.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: PREP FOODS INSIDE WALK IN COOLER NOT LABELED, INSTRUCTED TO DATE/LABEL AND MAINTAIN.

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: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORED CLEAN MULTI-USE UTENSILS ON STORAGE SHELVES AT DISH WASHING AREA TO PREVENT 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: INSTRUCTED TO SEAL RUSTY BOTTOM PANEL OF A PREP TABLES AT REAR PREP/KITCHEN AREA, AND REPLACE CUTTING BOARDS AT FRONT PREP AREA.

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: EXCESSIVE FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD-UP ON EQUIPMENT; INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN; INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF COOLERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, FREEZERS, STORAGE CABINETS, BOTTOM PANELS OF PREP TABLES, CAN OPENER, MICROWAVE OVENS, ALL EQUIPMENT IN BOTH PREP AREA AND DISH WASHING AREA.

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: FOOD DEBRIS AND GREASE BUILD-UP ON FLOORS, MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS; UNDER, BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT CORNERS AND ALONG WALLS THRU-OUT PREP AREAS AND STORAGE 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: DRIED FOOD DEBRIS ON WALLS BEHIND EQUIPMENT AT FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/SANITIZE. ALSO GREASE BUILD-UP ON HOOD AND FILTERS AT BOTH PREP AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE CLUTTER AT REAR STORAGE AREAS, CLEAN AND ORGANIZE TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE. ARTICLES MUST BE STORED OFF FLOORS, AWAY FROM WALLS.

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.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: INSTRUCTED, FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.

APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN - Comments: INSTRUCTED, FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS.

Unwashed produce can harbor pathogens and chemical residues.

Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before use.

Wash thoroughly under running water; Before cutting, combining, cooking, or serving; Remove soil and contaminants.