SUPERMERCADO LA TORTILLA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES BY FOOD HANDLER.OBSERVED MALE FOOD HANDLER IN MEAT/DELI PREP AREA BLOW HIS NOSE WITH CLOTH GLOVES ON AND THEN PUT ON PLASTIC OVER THE TOP OF THEM AND HANDLED A STYROFOAM CONTAINER AND PUT RAW MEAT INTO IT FOR A CUSTOMER WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS.MANAGER HAD EMPLOYEE TO REMOVE GLOVES AND WASH HANDS.MUST WASH HANDS AFTER EVERY POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY 7-38-010)(COS)(CITATION ISSUED)

Improper sanitization fails to kill pathogens, allowing contaminated equipment to spread illness throughout facility.

Sanitizing solutions and rinse water must meet specific requirements for effectiveness.

Chemical sanitizers: Chlorine 50-100 ppm, Quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm, Iodine 12.5-25 ppm; Hot water: 171°F for 30 seconds or 180°F at dish surface; Test strips required; Proper contact time.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: MUST REPAIR LOW HOT WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINKS IN MEN'S & WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM AND SLOW DRAIN AT MEN'S 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR MEAT DISPLAY UNIT AT DISPLAY UNIT INSIDE OF CASE.

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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL SHAKERS AND SQUEEZE BOTTLES WHEN FOOD IS NOT IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE.

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 EVIDENCE OF APPX. 25 OR MORE LIVE SMALL FLIES IN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOMS ON TOILET & WALLS,FLOOR DRAINS AND SEVERAL DEAD ON FLOOR.ALSO EVIDENCE OF NUMEROUS LIVE WORM LIKE INSECTS MOVING AROUND IN WATER OF FLOOR DRAINS IN BOTH TOILET ROOMS.MUST ELIMINATE OR MINIMZE LIVE FLY ACTIVITY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 5/3/24.(PRIORITY 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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: MUST ELEVATE FOOD PRODUCTS FROM FLOOR IN WALK IN PRODUCE WALK IN COOLER,DAIRY & MEAT WALK IN COOLER,DAIRY & POP WALK IN COOLER,MEAT WALK IN FREEZER TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.

Contamination during preparation is a leading cause of foodborne illness.

Prevent contamination during all food handling.

Minimize bare hand contact; Prevent cross-contamination; Use clean equipment; Proper employee hygiene.

GLOVES USED PROPERLY - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE NOT USING GLOVES PROPERLY.

Improper glove use spreads contamination worse than bare hands.

Single-use gloves must be used correctly.

Wash hands before donning; Change when contaminated; Change between tasks; Single use only; Not a substitute for handwashing.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LOWER SHELF OF PREP TABLES IN DELI/MEAT PREP AREA.MUST ELIMINATE CRATES USED FOR FOOD STORAGE IN DAIRY WALK IN COOLER.

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.

WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS - Comments: OBSERVED SEVERAL OVERSIZED KETTLES AND POTS TO LARGE TO BE SUBMERGED INTO 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE A WRITTEN SANITIZING PROCEDURE ON HOW TO WASH,RINSE AND SANITIZE MULTI-USE UTENSILS AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: MUST REMOVE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ICE BUILD UP ON COMPRESSOR COILS INSIDE OF MEAT/DELI DISPLAY UNITS.MUST CLEAN GREASE AND FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM GRILL TABLES,PREP TABLES IN TAQUERIA.

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: OBSERVED NO BACKFLOW DEVICE AT ICE MACHINE TO BE SEEN FOR SERVICING.

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: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN REAR STORAGE AREA.

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: MUST CLEAN DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM FLOOR DRAINS & FLOOR IN TAQUERIA AND DELI/MEAT PREP AREA,PRODUCE & MEAT/DAIRY WALK IN COOLER .

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: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP FROM HOOD & FILTERS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT IN TAQUERIA.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: MUST CLEAN EXCESSIVE GREASE BUILD UP FROM HOOD & FILTERS AT COOKING EQUIPMENT IN TAQUERIA.

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.