THE GAGE Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE, FOUND 20 LBS OF BLACK BEAN SOUP STORED IN A LARGE PLASTIC CONTAINER AT 58.3F IN WALK-IN COOLER, CONTAINER PLACED IN COOLER A DAY BEFORE. INSTRUCTED MGR TO COOL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS PROPERLY AND HOLD AT 40F OR LOWER. ITEM DISCARDED VALUED AT $25. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005.

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.

SANITIZING RINSE FOR EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS: CLEAN, PROPER TEMPERATURE, CONCENTRATION, EXPOSURE TIME - Comments: FOUND BOTH LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINES AT BAR WITH NO TRACES OF SANITIZER ON TEST STRIPS, MACHINES BEING USED DURING INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE PROPER SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. BOTH MACHINES ARE TAGGED, NOT ALLOWED TO USE. MUST CONTACT THE OFFICE OF CDPH FOR TAG REMOVAL REQUEST WHEN READY. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-030

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: FOOD DEBRIS NOTED ON UNDER PREP COOLER IN MAIN KITCHEN, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

Dirty equipment harbors bacteria and attracts pests.

All equipment and utensils must be clean and properly maintained.

Equipment clean to sight and touch; Free of food debris and grease; Maintained in good repair; Stored properly when clean.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: SEVERAL LIGHT FIXTURES AT KITCHEN CEILING MISSING A SHIELD. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: DRAIN LINES FOR SODA GUNS AT BAR NOT CONNECTED, INSTRUCTED TO CONNECT.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OPEN CONTAINERS OF EMPLOYEES DRINKS ABOVE FOOD PREP TABLES, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY OR PROVIDE LIDS.

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.

PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED - Comments: OPEN CONTAINERS OF EMPLOYEES DRINKS ABOVE FOOD PREP TABLES, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP AWAY OR PROVIDE LIDS.

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.