TAQUERIA UPTOWN Passes Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: MISSING INTERNAL THERMOMETER INSIDE THE SMALL BLACK COOLER BEHIND THE FRONT PREP COUNTER.

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: ALL BULK FOOD CONTAINERS MUST BE LABELED WITH PRODUCT COMMON NAMES IE: BEANS AND RICE.

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.

CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: NOTED A FOOD COOLER LOCATED IN THE DINING ROOM WITH CUSTOMER ACCESS. MUST PROTECT FROM THE PUBLIC. REMOVE FROM THE DINING ROOM OR PROVIDE A LOCK FOR THE COOLER.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: FOOD HANDLERS MUST WEAR EFFECTIVE HAIR RESTRAINTS WHEN PREPARING FOODS.

Poor personal hygiene transfers contaminants to food.

Food handlers must maintain personal cleanliness.

Clean outer clothing; Hair restraints; Short, clean fingernails; No jewelry except plain ring; Clean hands and arms.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: ALL PREP AREA WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE HELD IN A CLEAN CONTAINER WITH A SANITIZING SOLUTION.

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: FRONT PREP WOODEN CABINET OF THE HAND WASHING SINK BROKEN. FALLING FROM THE SINK AND WALL. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR OR REMOVE.

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: FRONT PREP WOODEN CABINET OF THE HAND WASHING SINK BROKEN. FALLING FROM THE SINK AND WALL. MUST REPLACE/REPAIR OR REMOVE.

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.