UPTOWN SHOP & SAVE INC., Gets Conditional Pass on Health Inspection - Chicago Grocery store

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE - Comments: HOT HOLDING UNIT AT FRONT COUNTER AT COFFEE SHOP NOT MAINTAINING PROPER TEMPERATURE,AIR TEMP 99.7F TO 107.7F.POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD WERE STORED INSIDE THE UNIT:SOUPS,SAMOSA ETC. TAGGED UNIT "HELD FOR INSPECTION" DO NOT USE. HOT HOLDING UNIT MUST MAINTAIN AIR TEMP OF 140F AND ABOVE. CRITICAL VIOLATION: 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 FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE.FOUND RAW BEEF MARINATING ON TOP ANOTHER FOOD CONTAINER AT STEAM TABLE AT TEMP OF 64.1F TO 65.3F; MELTED CHEESE AT TEMP OF 99.1F; MASHED POTATOES AT TEMP OF 63.5F;SWEET POTATOES AT TEMP OF 73.5F; MARINATE CHICKEN AT TEMP OF 55.9F,STORED ON TOP THE PREP TABLE; SOUP AT TEMP OF 79.4F ,VEGETABLE SAMOSA AT TEMP OF 75.7F. NO TEMPERATURE HOLDING OR COOLING METHOD BEING APPLIED, ALSO NO TIME AND TEMPERATURE LOGS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. FOUND VARIOUS KIND OF CHEESE AT TEMP OF 47.5F TO 52.F; VARIOUS KIND OF DELI MEAT AT TEMP OF 45F TO 51F; PIECES OF ROAST BEEF AT TEMP 47.5F TO 49.9F. CORNED BEEF AT TEMP OF 48F; PASTRAMI AT TEMP OF 51F. DISPLAY PREP COOLER IN DELI DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS AIR TEMP OF 38.9F TO 40.1F. FOOD MENTIONED WAS DISCARDED AND DENATURED. POUNDS 174.5,VALUE 726.72 CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-005(A)

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.

HANDS WASHED AND CLEANED, GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES; NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOODS. - Comments: POOR HYGIENIC PRACTICES. OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER HANDLING READY TO EAT FOOD, TOUCHING NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES, SUCH AS GARBAGE CAN, SWEEP THE FLOOR AND TOUCHING KITCHEN EQUIPMENT, THEN GOING BACK TO TOUCHING READY TO EAT FOOD WITHOUT WASHING HANDS (MAKING SANDWICHES,SLICING TOMATOES,LETTUCE ETC.ALSO NO HAND WASHING BETWEEN CHANGING OF FOOD GLOVES.INFORMATION GIVEN ON HAND WASHING. CRITICAL VIOLATION:7-38-010(A)

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.

ADEQUATE NUMBER, CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE, DESIGNED, AND MAINTAINED - Comments: EXPOSED HAND SINK AT BASEMENT PREP AREA WATER PIPE UNDER THE SINK NOT CONNECTED. MANAGER STATED "WE DON'T USED THAT SINK". PLUMBER ON SITE ABLE TO RECONNECT PIPE,HOWEVER EXPOSED HAND SINK CLUGGED. CEASE AND DESIST OPERATION,48 HOURS NOTICE GIVEN.INSTRUCTED TO USED OTHER TWO PREP AREA AT FIRST FLOOR.

Inadequate facilities lead to poor hygiene practices and potential fecal contamination.

Sufficient, properly maintained toilet facilities required.

Adequate number for staff; Convenient location; Self-closing doors; Toilet paper; Covered waste receptacles; Maintained clean; Proper ventilation.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED - Comments: OBSERVED WASTE WATER LINE CONNECTION FROM CEILING DISCHARGING WATER INSIDE THE ONE PREP COMPARTMENT SINK AT COFFEE SHOP, MUST BE PROPERLY CONNECTED SUCH THAT IT DRAINS DIRECTLY INTO A FLOOR DRAIN. OBSERVED FOUR BURNER ELECTRICAL STOVE PLUGGED IN,IN BASEMENT AREA,INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE OR PROVIDE VENTILATION.

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.

FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS - Comments: BUILD UP OF GREASE ON HOOD AND FILTERS,ALSODEBRIS ON SHELVES WERE FOOD AND FOOD PRODUCTS ARE STORED IN COFFEE SHOP,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.

FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED - Comments: BROKEN FLOOR TILE IN FRONT OF SMALL STEAM TABLE, INSIDE THE COFFEE SHOP,BROKEN CEMENT IN FRONT OF WALK-IN COOLER IN BASEMENT AREA . FOOD DEBRIS UNDER THE PREP TABLES AT DELI DEPARTMENT. DEBRIS UNDER THE STAIR CASE IN BASEMENT AREA,SWEEP THE FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.

Damaged floors harbor bacteria and create safety hazards.

Floors must be smooth, cleanable, and maintained.

Smooth, non-porous in food areas; Properly sloped to drains; Coving at wall junctures; Kept clean; Good repair.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: RAW WOOD CEILING ABOVE THE ICE MACHINE NOT SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE ABOVE THE UNIT.

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.

WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS - Comments: RAW WOOD CEILING ABOVE THE ICE MACHINE NOT SMOOTH, CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE,INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH,CLEANABLE AND NON-ABSORBENT SURFACE ABOVE THE UNIT.

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.