SEOUL TACO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WAS POSTED NOR PROVIDED ON SITE FOR THE PRESENT MANAGER ON DUTY WHILE TCS FOODS SUCH AS CHICKEN IS COOKED AND SERVED ON SITE. NO VALID DOCCUMENTATION ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE. A LEAST ONE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WHEN FOOD IS HANDLED. 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: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY PROVIDED ON SITE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE POLICY ON SITE. PROVIDED BLANK COPY OF POLICY ON SITE FOR EMPLOYEES. MANAGER WENT OVER POLICY AND HAD EMPLOYEES SIGN FORM ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUDATION 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. MANAGER PROVIDED INVOICE OF ORDER SPILL KIT. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED ALL HANDSINKS BLOCKED BY CONTAINERS AND WIPING CLOTHS IN THE FACILITY. MANAGER RELOCATED ALL ITEMS TO MAKE HAND SINK EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: A SIGN OR POSTER THAT NOTIFIES FOOD EMPLOYEES TO WASH THEIR HANDS IS NOT PROVIDED AT HANDWASHING SINKS USED BY FOOD EMPLOYEES. PROVIDE A CLEARLY VISIBLE HANDWASHING SIGN AT EACH HAND SINK.

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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED FACILITY FERMENTING KIMCHI ON SITE. FERMENTATION OF KIMCHI IS NOT APPROVED AS A SPECIAL PROCESS IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. A HACCP AND VARIENCE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL IS REQUIRED BEFORE USING SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS. APPROXIMATELY 240 POUNDS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $250 WAS DISCARDED ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

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 FACILITY FERMENTING KIMCHI ON SITE. FERMENTATION OF KIMCHI IS NOT APPROVED AS A SPECIAL PROCESS IN THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. A HACCP AND VARIENCE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL IS REQUIRED BEFORE USING SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS. APPROXIMATELY 240 POUNDS AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $250 WAS DISCARDED ON SITE. REFER TO VIOLATION #29 FOR PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION THAT WAS ISSUED.

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 PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT DOES NOT HAVE A LABEL. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: IN-USE WIPING CLOTHS ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY. FOUND ON PREP COUNTERS CLOTHS USED TO WIPE SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL BE HELD IN A PROPER SANITIZER SOLUTION. CLOTHS IN-USE FOR WIPING SURFACES IN CONTACT WITH RAW ANIMAL FOODS SHALL BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM CLOTHS USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES. IN-USE CLOTHS MUST BE LAUNDERED DAILIY.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: CRATES USED AS STORAGE CONTAINERS IN BASEMENT. FACILITY MUST REPLACE WITH CONTAINER THAT IS SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE, NON-ABSORBENT, AND DURABLE.

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: GASKETS ON THE COOLER DOOR LOCATED AT FRONT PREP-AREA IS DAMAGED. FACILITY MUST REPLACE DAMAGED GASKETS.

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.

TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: ALL GENDER RESTROOM AND EMPLOYEE RESTROOM LACKS A COVERED RECEPTACLE FOR DISPOSAL OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE COVERED TRASH RECEPTACLE IN RESTROOM(s)

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene and contamination.

Toilet rooms must be properly equipped and maintained.

Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Handwashing supplies; Cleaned regularly; Proper ventilation.

GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED DUMPSTER IN ALLEY OVERFLOWING WITH GARBAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT, CLEAN, AND MAINTAIN. DUMPSTER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON 3/14/23. 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 HOLES ON WALL/CEILING IN BASEMENT MOP STORAGE CLOSET. FACILITY MUST SEAL HOLES AND PROVIDE A SMOOTH EASILY CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSOEBENT SURFACE.

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: OBSERVED DAMAGED CAULKING LOCATED AT HANDSINK ADJACENT TO WALL. FACILITY MUST RE-CAULK SINK FIXTURES.

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: UNNECESSARY ITEMS / NONFUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOUND IN BASEMENT NEAR STAIRCASE AND IN OFFICE CLOSET. THE PREMISES SHALL BE FREE OF ITEMS UNNECESSARY TO THE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT. THIS INCLUDES EQUIPMENT THAT IS NONFUNCTIONAL OR NO LONGER USED.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: LIGHTING WAS FOUND NOT SHIELDED OR PROTECTED IN THE BASEMENT DRY STORAGE AREA AND 1ST FLOOR COOKLINE. LIGHT BULBS SHALL BE SHIELDED, COATED, OR SHATTER-RESISTANT IN AREAS WHERE EXPOSED FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, UNTENSILS, LINENS, OR UNWRAPPED SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES.

Poor ventilation causes condensation and grease buildup; inadequate lighting hides contamination.

Proper ventilation and lighting required throughout.

Ventilation prevents condensation; Adequate lighting for operations; Fixtures shielded; Hoods over cooking equipment.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT CITY MANAGER CERTIFIED, OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

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: FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. FACILITY MUST ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT CITY MANAGER CERTIFIED, OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.

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.