TAQUERIA ATOTONILCO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: FOUND NO ONE ON SITE WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE WHILE PREPARIN/SERVING TCS FOODS (PORK, RICE, BEANS, BEEF,ETC.). INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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 EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY WHERE ALL MANAGERS, FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN REPORTING ANY ILLNESSES TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD. 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.

PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS - Comments: FOUND NO PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROCEDURE AND PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR HANDLING THESE EVENTS. 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.

HANDS CLEAN & PROPERLY WASHED - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER COOKING/CHOPPING BEEF, HANDLING TACO SHELLS AND BREAD, USING A SOILED TOWEL TO WIPE THE GRILL AND THEN GRAB SOME LETTUCE TO PUT ON A TACO AND SANDWICH ALL WITH HIS BARE HANDS AND NOT WASHING HIS HANDS IN BETWEEN TASKS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS WHEN MULTI-TASKING, HANDLING RAW, TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOOD, TOUCHING A SOIL TOWEL, ETC. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-010 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.

NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH RTE FOOD OR A PRE-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE PROPERLY ALLOWED - Comments: OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOOD (LETTUCE, CUT TOMATOES) WITH HIS BARE HAND. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS AND WEAR GLOVE OR USE UTENSILS TO HANDLE READY TO EAT FOODS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 CITATION ISSUED

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: FOUND NO HAND SOAP AT THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE REAR FOOD/DISH WASHING PREPARATION AREA NOR AT THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA WHERE THE SHAKES ARE MADE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SUPPLY OF HAND CLEANING LIQUID AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. 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: FOUND NO INDIVIDUAL, DISPOSABLE TOWELS AT THE REAR FOOD PREPARATION/DISH WASHING AREA NOR AT THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN DISPOSABLE TOWELS OR HEATED-AIR HAND DRYING DEVICE, ETC. TO ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. 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: FOUND NO HAND WASHING SIGNAGE OR POSTERS AT ANY OF THE HAND WASHING SINKS ON PREMISES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNAGE OR POSTERS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. MAINTAIN SAME.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: WIPING CLOTHS IN ALL PREP AREAS NOT PROPERLY STORED WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION (MUST BE AT THE REQUIRED PPM) WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

IN-USE UTENSILS: PROPERLY STORED - Comments: BOWLS STORED IN ICE MACHINE AND BEING USED TO DISPENSE ICE. INSTD TO USE PROPER ICE DISPENSING UTENSILS AND STORE PROPERLY.

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.

GLOVES USED PROPERLY - Comments: OBSERVED THE FOOD HANDLER IN THE FRONT FOOD PREPARATION AREA NOT USING GLOVES TO PREVENT TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOODS. INSTRUCTED PIC TO INSTRUCT FOOD HANDLER TO PROPERLY USE GLOVES.

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: FOUND THE FRONT CUTTING BOARDS WITH DEEP, DARK GROOVES AND STAINS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR SAND TO MAKE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MAINTAIN A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACES.

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: FOUND THE HAND WASHING SINK IN THE FOOD/DISH WASHING PREPARATION AREA LEAKING FROM THE PIPE. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN LEAK AT THAT SINK.

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: FOUND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE ICE MACHINE, COOLERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND SINKS WITH DIRT, FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGH OUT.

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: FOUND THE FLOORS IN THE CORNERS, UNDER/AROUND THE ICE MACHINE, COOLERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, STORAGE RACKS AND SINKS WITH DIRT, FOOD AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGH OUT.

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.