VELVET TACO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ONSITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE THE POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES TO SIGN, DATE AND KEEP ONSITE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010 NO 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 COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES - Comments: OBSERVED RAW CHICKEN (50F) AND RAW FISH (50F), AND DAIRY BASED SALAD DRESSING (65F) AT IMPROPER COLD TEMPRAUTURES STORED IN A PREP COOLER IN THE FRONT PREP AREA. MANAGER VOLUTARILLY DISCARDED AND DENATURED FOOD, INSTRUCTED TO HOLD COLD TCS FOODS AT 41F OR BELOW AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-005 CITATION ISSUED.

Temperatures below 135°F allow bacteria to multiply, especially spore-formers that survive cooking.

Hot foods must be held at 135°F or above.

Maintain 135°F or above; Check temperatures regularly; Proper hot holding equipment; Cannot reheat in hot holding units.

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: MUST LABEL ALL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES WHEN FOOD IS REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED 15 LIVE SMALL FLIES ON WALLS AND EQUIPMENT IN BASEMENT FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FLIES, CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREA. CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38 -030(A) CITATION ISSUED.

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.

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS - Comments: OBSERVED EMPLOYEE PREPARING FOOD IN FRONT PREP AREA WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS AT ALL TIMES WHEN PREPARING FOOD. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED - Comments: MUST REPLACE BROKEN DOOR GASKETS ON MULTIPLE PREP COOLERS, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: MUST REPAIR LOOSE FAUCET ON HANDWASHING SINK ON FRONT PREP AREA, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

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.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST REPAIR UNFINISHED DRYWALL IN BASEMENT PREP AREA, NEXT TO PREP TABLE, INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT, MAINTAIN.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: MUST DETAIL CLEAN EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION ON CEILING VENTS THROUGHOUT, MAINTAIN.

Deteriorated facilities harbor pests and prevent proper cleaning.

Building must be maintained in good condition.

No holes in walls/ceilings; Doors and windows intact; Fixtures functional; No water damage; Surfaces intact.