TACO MAYA Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL PRINTED COPY OF CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER PROVIDED ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ORIGINAL PRINTED COPY OF ALL CERTIFIED MANAGER CERTIFICATE(S) AND MAINTAIN POSTED IN PUBLIC VIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-012 NO 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 PRINTED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES PROVIDED ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN PRINTED, UP-TO-DATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES WITH COPIES SIGNED BY EACH FOOD EMPLOYEE ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 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.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: OBSERVED NO DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE ON-SITE TO PROVIDE AT ALL HANDWASHING SINKS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN DISPOSABLE PAPER TOWELS AVAILABLE FOR USE AND MAINTAIN PROVIDED TO ALL HANDWASHING SINKS ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-030(C) NO 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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE (PROBE THERMOMETER) PRESENT ON-SITE FOR VERIFYING TEMPERATURES OF TCS FOOD ITEMS (SUCH AS MILK, CHEESE) DURING RECEIVING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDEAT LEAST ONE ACCURATE AND FUNCTIONAL FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE (PROBE THERMOMETER) FOR VERIFYING TCS FOOD TEMPERATURES AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AT HOT- AND COLD-HOLDING EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER IN A CONSPICUOUS AND EASILY-VIEWABLE LOCATION IN ALL COLD- AND HOT-HOLDING EQUIPMENT USED TO STORE TCS FOOD ITEMS AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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 WITH PEST CONTROL LOGS AND PEST CONTROL OPERATOR INFORMATION PROVIDED ON-SITE AT TIME OF LICENSE INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH ALL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY THE LAW AND MAINTAIN ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-020(C) NO 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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: OBSERVED 2-COMPARTMENT VEGETABLE SINK IN THE REAR AREA TO BE SPACED FROM THE ADJOINING WALL AND LACKING ADEQUATE SEALING. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL 2-COMPARTMENT VEGETABLE SINK TO THE ADJOINING WALL AND MAINTAIN ALL EQUIPMENT EXPOSED TO SPILLAGE OR SEEPAGE ADEQUATELY SEALED.

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.

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE WALK-IN COOLER AREA TO BE IN POOR REPAIR AND NON-FUNCTIONAL. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE WALK-IN COOLER AREA LIGHT FIXTURE TO PROVIDE LIGHTING OF ADEQUATE INTENSITY FOR THIS AREA AND MAINTAIN.

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: OBSERVED NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES PROVIDED ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING WITH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ALL CERTIFICATES ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.

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 NO FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD EMPLOYEES PROVIDED ON-SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER TRAINING WITH FOOD HANDLER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN ALL CERTIFICATES ON-SITE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTOR REVIEW AT ALL TIMES.

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.