VELVET TACO Fails Health Inspection - Chicago Restaurant

CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO ONE ON-SITE WITH A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATE. OBSERVED NO CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED

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.

MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING - Comments: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICIES ON SITE. MUST HAVE SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTHN POLICIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 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.

COMPLIANCE WITH VARIANCE/SPECIALIZED PROCESS/HACCP - Comments: OBSERVED NO APPROVED HACCP PLAN ON-SITE FROM CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR A MOP COOK, BAG, CHILL, REHEAT PROCEDURE. RECIPES AFFECTED ARE BRISKET, CHICKEN PORK SALSAS, AND SAUCES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 MODIFIED OXYGEN MACHINE MACHINE AND FOOD WERE TAGGED. CITATION ISSUED

Specialized processes without proper controls can create deadly toxins like botulism.

Special processes require approved HACCP plans or variances.

Written HACCP plan for: Vacuum packaging; Sous vide; Smoking for preservation; Curing; Using additives. Plan must be approved by CDPH.

VARIANCE OBTAINED FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS - Comments: OBSERVED NO VARIANCE OBTAINED FROM THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALIZED PROCESSING METHODS, INCLUDING COOKING, THEN BAGGING (IN A MODIFIED OXYGEN ENVIRONMENT), THEN CHILLING AND REHEATING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 REFERS TO VIOLATION #29 FOR CITATION.

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 PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER - Comments: ALL PREPACKAGED CAKE NEEDS A LABEL CONTAINING THE PRODUCT'S COMMON NAME, INGREDIENT LIST, NAME, AND ADDRESS OF THE FACILITY WHERE PACKAGED.

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.

WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED - Comments: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTHS NOT STORED IN SANITIZER SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. STORE ALL WIPING CLOTHS IN SANITIZER WHEN NOT IN USE.

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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING CONDITION UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND 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.

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED LEAKING CONDITION UNDER 1 COMPARTMENT SINK. MUST REPAIR AND 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.