SEOUL TACO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS ITEMS SUCH AS CHICKEN WERE PREPARED. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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: OBSERVED NO VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. LEFT TEMPLATE AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN VERIFIABLE HEALTH POLICY SIGNED BY ALL EMPLOYEES ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: OBSERVED NO KIT AND PROCEDURE ON SITE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMIT AND DIARRHEA. LEFT ONE PAGER AND INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PROCEDURE AND KIT WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING A SANITIZER RATED AS EFFECTIVE AGAINST NOROVIRUS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO THERMOMETERS INSIDE PREP COOLERS LOCATED IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO CONTRACT WITH A LICENSED PEST CONTROL SERVICE, RECEIVE SERVICE, AND MAINTAIN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C). 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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST STRIPS FOR DETERMINING CHEMICAL SANITIZER CONCENTRATION ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.

Cannot verify sanitization without test strips, risking contaminated equipment.

Warewashing facilities must be properly equipped and supplied.

3-compartment sink or dishwasher; Test strips for sanitizer; Thermometers for water temperature; Adequate drainboards; Proper detergents.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE CONNECTED TO PEPSI MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LOOSE FAUCET AT WASHBOWL SINK LOCATED IN REAR (WEST) TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE ON USED COOKING OIL CONTAINER LOCATED IN ALLEY. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DUMPSTER IN ALLEY OVERFLOWING WITH GARBAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(B). CITATION ISSUED.

Poor waste management attracts pests and creates contamination sources.

Refuse must be properly contained and removed.

Leak-proof, pest-proof containers; Tight-fitting lids; Clean storage areas; Frequent removal; Containers cleaned.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED HEAVY BUILD UP OF GREASE, GRIME, AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDERNEATH HOT LINE IN REAR (WEST) PREP AREA AND BUILD UP OF BLACK GRIME IN HAND SINK IN REAR (WEST) PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM REPORT #2382616 DATED 7/6/2020: #53 " OBSERVED NO COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN EITHER OF THE ALL GENDER TOILET ROOMS LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OR IN THE ALL GENDER EMPLOYEE RESTROOM LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN. " #58 " OBSERVED A CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING A CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN A RECORD THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES." INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

SUMMARY REPORT DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC - Comments: OBSERVED NO SUMMARY POSTED FROM PREVIOUS INSPECTION #2382616 DATED 7/6/2020 FOR PUBLIC VIEW. LEFT NEW SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTED TO POST FOR PUBLIC VIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-010(B). CITATION ISSUED.

MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING VACCINATION STATUS OF PATRONS ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNAGE NOTIFYING PATRONS OF VACCINE MANDATE REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO POST SIGNAGE AT FRONT ENTRANCE AND IN PROMINENT PLACE INSIDE FACILITY.

MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNAGE NOTIFYING PATRONS OF VACCINE MANDATE REQUIREMENTS. INSTRUCTED TO POST SIGNAGE AT FRONT ENTRANCE AND IN PROMINENT PLACE INSIDE FACILITY.