SIMON TACOS INC. Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: FOUND NO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON DUTY.INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE THAT A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH A VALID CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE (TCS FOODS) ARE PREPARED/SERVED TO CUSTOMERS AND POST ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE AS REQUIRED.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: FOUND NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON THE PREMISES. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010,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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: FOUND NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN REQUIRED PROCEDURE/PLAN AND APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES OR KIT. (NECESSARY ITEMS AT A MINIMUM: GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS AND APPROPRIATE SANITIZER/SPRAY THAT KILLS NOROVIRUS) PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO 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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY LABEL AND DATE READY TO EAT (TCS FOODS) HELD OVER 24 HOURS INSIDE COOLERS. MUST IDENTIFY PRODUCT SHELF LIFE OR "CONSUME BY" DATING (7 DAYS FROM PREPARATION DATE). PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED -

Inadequate reheating fails to kill bacteria that grew during storage.

Foods must be reheated to 165°F within 2 hours.

Reheat to 165°F within 2 hours; Use proper equipment (not hot holding units); Discard if not reaching temperature in time.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: FOUND NO CONSUMER ADVISORY DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON THE MENU. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO DISCLOSE WHICH FOODS CAN BE ORDERED "RAW" OR UNDER COOKED AND LINK THOSE FOODS WITH AN ASTERISK (*) TO A REMINDER STATEMENT THAT STATES THAT EATING RAW OR UNDER COOKED FOODS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOOD BORNE ILLNESS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005,NO CITATION ISSUED. - -

Dirty surfaces attract pests and can contaminate food indirectly.

Non-food contact surfaces must be kept clean.

Clean as often as necessary; Remove grease and debris; Maintain equipment exteriors; Keep walls, ceilings, floors clean.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: LARGE WHITE DRY BULK FOOD CONTAINERS IN REAR FOOD PREP/3-COMPARTMENT SINK AREA MUST BE LABELED TO IDENTIFY FOODS STORED AND TO MAINTAIN.

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: INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN A SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE AND TO MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED A TORN DOOR GASKET INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR PREP COOLER AT FRONT PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TORN DOOR GASKETS AND TO MAINTAIN.

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: CUTTING BOARDS WITH OPEN SEAMS AND DARK STAINS. MUST REFINISH OR REPLACE DAMAGED OR STAINED CUTTING BOARDS.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN MANUAL CAN OPENER AND HOUSING ATTACHED TO REMOVE SPLASHED FOOD DEBRIS SHOWED MANAGER AND TO MAINTAIN.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT LOCATED AT ICE MAKER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.

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: INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND ORGANIZE REAR UTILITY MOP SINK AREA AND STORAGE AREAS REMOVE UNNECESSARY ARTICLES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND ELEVATE CLEANING EQUIPMENTS MOPS AND BROOMS OFF THE FLOOR.

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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: OBSERVED SOME FOOD EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.

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: OBSERVED SOME FOOD EMPLOYEES WITH NO FOOD HANDLER TRAINING.INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING FOR FOOD HANDLERS AND MAINTAIN CERTIFICATES AS REQUIRED.

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.