THE LOEWS CHICAGO Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: FACILITY NOT MAINTAINING PROPER COOLING TEMPERATURE, FOUND PREP COOLER AT MAIN PREP LINE AT 62.4F, COOLER IS USED TO HOLD PERISHABLES, INSTRUCTED TO KEEP ALL COOLERS AT 40F OR LOWER. COOLER IS TAGGED NOT ALLOWED TO USE MUST CONTACT THE OFFICE OF CDPH WHEN REPAIRED. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005(A)

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.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE - Comments: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN SAID COOLER, 4 LBS OF DELI MEAT AT 55.6, 5LBS OF LIQUID EGGS AT 62.4F, CREAM CHEESE AT 48.6F. 5 LBS OF COOKED POTATOES AT 55.4F. INSTRUCTED MGR TO KEEP SUCH FOODS AT 40F OR LOWER. CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED. 7-38-005(A). FOOD DISCARDED VALUED AT $200.

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: BOTH BAR LOW TEMP DISH WASHING MACHINE NOT SANITIZING PREOPERLY, 0PPM FOR FINAL RINSE AT TEST STRIPS. MACHINES WERE NOT BEING USED DURING INSPECTION. MACHINES TAGGED NOT ALLOWED TO USE. NO 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.

FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED - Comments: FOOD CONTAINERS NOT LABELED, SUGAR SALT, INSTRUCTED TO LABEL.

Improper methods result in slow cooling that allows bacterial growth.

Approved cooling methods must be used.

Use shallow pans, ice baths, rapid chill units, ice wands; Cut large items into smaller portions; Stir frequently; Leave uncovered during cooling.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: INADEQUATE SNEEZE GUARD AT EMPLOYEES CAFETERIA SELF SERVICE LINE,TOO SHORT. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A LONGER ONE.

Unapproved processes may lack critical safety controls.

Variance required before conducting specialized food processes.

Submit application to CDPH; Include HACCP plan; Await approval before starting; Maintain all required records.

LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED - Comments: INADEQUATE LIGHTING IN WALK-IN COOLERS.EXISTING LIGHT IS TOO DIM. FRONT PREP LINE NOT WELL LIT, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL ADEQUATE LIGHTING.

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.

TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS - Comments: NO HANDS WASHING SIGNS IN EMPLOYEES TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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.

VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: NO HAND WASH SINK IN PASTRIES PREP AREA, 2 COMP PREP SINK IS USED AS A HAND SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: SEVERAL COOLERS MISSING A REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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.

REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS - Comments: SEVERAL COOLERS MISSING A REFRIGERATION THERMOMETER, INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL.

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.