TAQUERIA Y RESTAURANT LA PIRI Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: 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. 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.

PROPER EATING, TASTING, DRINKING, OR TOBACCO USE - Comments: FOUND A FOOD EMPLOYEE DRINKING COFFEE FROM A CUP WITHOUT A LID AND EATING A PASTRY IN THE REAR PREP AREA, AND STORING THE BEVERAGE AND FOOD ON TOP OF A PREP COOLER. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT THAT EMPLOYEES MUST CONSUME BEVERAGES/FOOD IN DESIGNATED AREAS TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, ETC.

Hands are #1 vehicle for pathogen transfer. Bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods causes majority of foodborne outbreaks.

Proper handwashing and no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water; Use utensils, deli tissue, or gloves for ready-to-eat foods; Wash hands after restroom, handling raw foods, touching face/hair, and between tasks.

CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD - Comments: OBSERVED AN INCOMPLETE CONSUMER ADVISORY FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOODS - THE ADVISORY IS MISSING A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO ADD A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO THE CURRENT ADVISORY THAT SAYS "ITEMS CAN BE SERVED RAW OR UNDERCOOKED OR CONTAIN UNDERCOOKED INGREDIENTS". 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.

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED - Comments: FOUND A PACKAGE OF FROZEN SHRIMP SUBMERGED IN A CONTAINER OF WATER, THAWING AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TCS FOODS MUST BE THAWED ACCORDING TO FOOD CODE, SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION THAT MAINTAINS 41F OR BELOW OR UNDER RUNNING WATER (70F OR BELOW).

Damaged surfaces cannot be properly cleaned and may harbor pests.

Walls and ceilings must be smooth, cleanable, and in good repair.

Smooth, washable surfaces in food areas; Light colored; No holes or cracks; Clean and maintained.

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: FOUND CLEAN UTENSILS STORED HANGING ON THE WALL DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE MOP SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT TO RELOCATE CLEAN UTENSILS TO WHERE THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO SPLASH/POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION FROM THE MOP SINK.

Clutter harbors pests and prevents proper cleaning.

Facility must be free of unnecessary items and litter.

Remove unnecessary equipment; No litter; Organized storage; No living quarters; Personal items in designated areas.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: FOUND A LEAK AT THE FAUCET OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGEMENT 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.

ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING - Comments: UNABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATES DURING INSPECTION. MUST PROVIDE AND KEEP CERTIFICATES ON SITE.

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.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2290954 DATED 6/5/2019 NOT CORRECTED: "OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE." INSTRUCTED TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.

PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED - Comments: PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION FROM REPORT #2290954 DATED 6/5/2019 NOT CORRECTED: "OBSERVED THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITHOUT AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED THAT ALL CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS MUST HAVE AN ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE." INSTRUCTED TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-42-090. CITATION ISSUED.

Deviating from approved procedures removes critical safety controls.

Must comply with all approved plans and procedures.

Follow approved plans; Maintain required records; Operate as permitted; No unauthorized changes.

This violation was corrected during the inspection.