TACO NIETOS Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 2-102.14(N) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.

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: 2-501.11 OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURE OR SUPPLIES ON SITE TO RESPOND TO VOMIT OR DIARRHEA CLEAN UP EVENTS THAT CAN POTENTIALLY OCCUR INSIDE OF THE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN PROCEDURE AND SUPPLIES (DISPOSABLE GLOVES, DISPOSABLE MOP, DISPOSABLE MASK AND THE APPROPRIATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES *NOROVIRUS*). PRIORITY FOUONDATION 7-38-005.

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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: 3-301.11(B) UPON ENTERING THE FACILITY, OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING TACO TOPPINGS (TORTILLAS, SLICED TOMATOES, CHEESE, LETTUCE, ETC.) WITH BARE HANDS. INSTRUCTED TO NEVER HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS WITH BARE HANDS AND TO ALWAYS PROPERLY USE TONGS, SPOONS OR FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES TO HANDLE ALL READY TO EAT FOODS. FOOD HANDLER WASHED HIS HANDS AND APPLIED FOOD GRADE DISPOSABLE GLOVES DURING THE INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-010.

Contaminated water spreads waterborne diseases. Insufficient hot water prevents proper sanitization.

Potable water supply must be adequate, protected, and properly heated.

Water from approved public system; Sufficient pressure for all operations; Hot water minimum 120°F at fixtures, 180°F for high-temp dishwashers; Backflow prevention installed; No cross-connections.

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE - Comments: 5-204.11 OBSERVED A HAND WASHING SINK IS NEEDED AT THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA SELF SERVING COFFEE STATION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A HAND WASHING SINK OR REMOVE THE COFFEE STATION LOCATED IN THE FRONT CUSTOMER SERVICE AREA. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030.

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.

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION - Comments: 3-501.17 OBSERVED READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS (SLICED TOMATOES, COOKED RICE) OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT DATES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE LABELS FOR ALL READY TO EAT TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOODS THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING AND HELD FOR OVER 24 HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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: 3-603.11 OBSERVED NO CONSUMER ADVISORY POSTED NOR A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER ON THE MENU FOR ALL ITEMS THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED (EGGS). INSTRUCTED TO POST A CONSUMER ADVISORY AND ADD A DISCLOSURE AND A REMINDER TO ALL ITEMS ON THE MENU THAT CAN BE ORDERED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

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.

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: 4-204.112(B) OBSERVED NO THERMOMETER INSIDE OF THE PREP COOLER LOCATED IN THE FRONT FOOD 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.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: 3-302.12 OBSERVED FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE COMMON NAME OF FOODS. INSTRUCTED TO 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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: 3-304.12 OBSERVED SCOOPS FOR DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS BEING STORED DIRECTLY INSIDE OF THE CONTAINER. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL UTENSILS BETWEEN USE.

Improper storage contaminates utensils between uses.

In-use utensils must be properly stored between uses.

Store in food with handle out; On clean surface; In running water; In water at 135°F or above.

SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED - Comments: 4-502.13 OBSERVED SINGLE USE ARTICLES (CONTAINERS FOR BUTTER) BEING RE-USED AS FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS. INSTRUCTED TO ONLY USE FOOD GRADE STORAGE CONTAINERS OR FOOD GRADE STORAGE BAGS TO STORE ALL FOODS.

Contaminated single-use items transfer pathogens to food and customers.

Single-use items must be protected from contamination.

Store in original packaging; Protect from contamination; Handle by non-contact surfaces; Cannot reuse.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: 4-101.19 OBSERVED RUST ON THE SHELVES LOCATED INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE RUST OR REPLACE SHELVES.

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.

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: 4-601.11(C) OBSERVED THE FAN INSIDE OF THE 2 DOOR REFRIGERATOR WITH ACCUMULATED DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.

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: 5-205.15 OBSERVED A MINOR LEAK ON THE PIPE UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.

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: 6-501.13 OBSERVED THE FLOORS THRU OUT WITH ACCUMULATED DIRT AND FOOD DEBRIS UNDER ALL EQUIPMENT AND UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK AND HOT WATER HEATER. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALONG ALL WALLS AND IN ALL CORNERS.

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: 4-202.18 OBSERVED A MISSING VENT ON THE VENTILATION SYSTEM LOCATED ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE.

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: 6-303.11 OBSERVED MISSING LIGHT BULBS ABOVE THE COOKING EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE LIGHT BULBS.

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: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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: 2-102.13 OBSERVED ONE MALE FOOD HANDLER WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO MEET REQUIREMENT.

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.