Food Establishment Inspection Report
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KANKAKEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
 2390 W. Station Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 802 - 9410
Establishment
 EL MEXICANO RESTAURANT 		License/Permit #
 KK295
Street Address
503 RIVERSTONE PKWY UNIT 203
City/State
 KANKAKEE, IL 		ZIP Code
 60901
No. of Risk Factor/Intervention Violations 5
No. of Repeat Risk Factor/Intervention Violations 1
Date 03/31/2022
Time In 02:00 PM
Time Out 03:45 PM
Permit Holder
COVARRUBIAS, LUIS 		Risk Category
H
Purpose of Inspection
ORIGINAL INSPECTION

FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
Circle designated compliance status (IN, OUT, N/O, N/A) for each numbered item
IN=in compliance    OUT=not in compliance    N/O=not observed    N/A=not applicable
Mark "X" in appropriate box for COS and/or R
COS=corrected on-site during inspection    R=repeat violation 		Risk factors are important practices or procedures identified as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. Public health interventions are control measures to prevent foodborne illness or injury.
Compliance Status
 COS R

SUPERVISION

 
1 IN OUT     Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties    
2 IN OUT N/A   Certified Food Protection Manager    

EMPLOYEE HEALTH

 
3 IN OUT     Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting    
4 IN OUT     Proper use of restriction and exclusion    
5 IN OUT     Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events    

GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES

 
6 IN OUT   N/O Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use    
7 IN OUT   N/O No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth    

PREVENTING CONTAMINATION BY HANDS

 
8 IN OUT   N/O Hands clean & properly washed    
9 IN OUT N/A N/O No bare hand contact with RTE food or a pre-approved alternative procedure properly allowed    
10 IN OUT     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible X  

APPROVED SOURCE

 
11 IN OUT     Food obtained from approved source    
12 IN OUT N/A N/O Food received at proper temperature    
13 IN OUT     Food in good condition, safe, & unadulterated    
14 IN OUT N/A N/O Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction    
Compliance Status
 COS R

PROTECTION FROM CONTAMINATION

 
15 IN OUT N/A N/O Food separated and protected X  
16 IN OUT N/A   Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized    
17 IN OUT     Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned & unsafe food    

TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY

 
18 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cooking time & temperatures    
19 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper reheating procedures for hot holding    
20 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cooling time and temperature X X
21 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper hot holding temperatures    
22 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper cold holding temperatures    
23 IN OUT N/A N/O Proper date marking and disposition    
24 IN OUT N/A N/O Time as a Public Health Control; procedures & records    

CONSUMER ADVISORY

 
25 IN OUT N/A   Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food    

HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE POPULATIONS

 
26 IN OUT N/A   Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered    

FOOD/COLOR ADDITIVES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES

 
27 IN OUT N/A   Food additives: approved and properly used    
28 IN OUT N/A   Toxic substances properly identified, stored, & used X  

CONFORMANCE WITH APPROVED PROCEDURES

 
29 IN OUT N/A   Compliance with variance/specialized process/HACCP    

GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
Good Retail Practices are preventative measures to control the addition of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods.
Mark "X" in appropriate box for COS and/or R      
COS
=corrected on site during inspection  
R
=repeat violation  
Compliance Status
 COS R

SAFE FOOD AND WATER

 
30   Pasteurized eggs used where required    
31   Water & ice from approved source    
32   Variance obtained for specialized processing methods    

FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL

 
33 X Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control   X
34   Plant food properly cooked for hot holding    
35 X Approved thawing methods used    
36   Thermometers provided & accurate    

FOOD IDENTIFICATION

 
37   Food properly labeled; original container    

PREVENTION OF FOOD CONTAMINATION

 
38   Insects, rodents, & animals not present    
39 X Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display   X
40   Personal cleanliness    
41   Wiping cloths: properly used & stored    
42   Washing fruits & vegetables    

PROPER USE OF UTENSILS

 
43 X In-use utensils: properly stored   X
Compliance Status
 COS R

PROPER USE OF UTENSILS

 
44   Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried, & handled    
45   Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored & used    
46   Gloves used properly    

UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT, AND VENDING

 
47 X Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used    
48   Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips    
49 X Non-food contact surfaces clean   X

PHYSICAL FACILITIES

 
50   Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure    
51 X Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices    
52   Sewage & waste water properly disposed    
53   Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned    
54   Garbage & refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained    
55 X Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean    
56 X Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used    

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

 
57   All food employees have food handler training    
58   Allergen training as required    
IOCI 17-356

Food Establishment Inspection Report
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Establishments: EL MEXICANO RESTAURANT Establishment #: KK295
Water Supply:   Public Private   Waste Water System:   Public Private
Sanitizer Type: Chemical PPM: CHLORINE 100 Heat: NA °F
CFPM Verification (name, ID#, expiration date):
LUIS COVARRUBIAS
23358082
03/05/2028 		CAROLINA GARCIA
23358083
03/05/2028

01/01/1900

 

TEMPERATURE OBSERVATIONS
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Item/Location
Temp
Milk/Server cooler 41.00°F Rice/Walk-in cooler 80.00°F Salsa/Walk-in cooler 40.00°F
Beef/Prep cooler 39.00°F Hamburger/Stand up cooler 36.00°F Lime/Bar cooler 37.00°F
/2 freezers 0.00°F Chicken/Steam table 138.00°F Beef/Steam table 137.00°F

OBSERVATIONS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Item
Number 		Severity Violations cited in this report must be corrected within the time frames below.
2 2. violation (2-102.12): the person in charge is not a certified food protection manger. Corrective action: have all employees designated as the "person in charge" certified as a food protection manager. Correct within 90 days. - (Correct By: Jun 29, 2022)
10 PF 6-301.11: Each HANDWASHING SINK or group of 2 adjacent HANDWASHING SINKS shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap.
The soap dispenser at the first kitchen hand washing sink was stocked with hand sanitizer. COS
15 P 3-302.11 (A) (2): (A) FOOD shall be protected from cross contamination by:   (2) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal FOODS from each other such as beef, FISH, lamb, pork, and POULTRY during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (a) Using separate EQUIPMENT for each type, or (b) Arranging each type of FOOD in EQUIPMENT so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, and (c) Preparing each type of FOOD at different times or in separate areas.
Observed raw hamburger patties stored above raw fish and beef. COS
20 P 3-501.14 (A): (A) Cooked TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD shall be cooled: (1) Within 2 hours from 57ºC (135ºF) to 21ºC (70°F); and (2) Within a total of 6 hours from 57ºC (135ºF) to 5ºC (41°F) or less.
Observed rice in the walk-in cooler that was cooked yesterday and at a temperature of 80 degrees. This is well beyond the 2 hour limit to reach 71 degrees. Rice was discarded. - COS,Repeat (Correct By: Apr 12, 2022)
28 PF 7-102.11: Working containers used for storing POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS such as cleaners and SANITIZERS taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.
Observed a purple cleaner in an unlabeled spray bottle. COS
33 PF 3-501.15 (A): (A) Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under § 3-501.14 by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of FOOD being cooled: (1) Placing the FOOD in shallow pans; (2) Separating the FOOD into smaller or thinner portions; (3) Using rapid cooling EQUIPMENT; (4) Stirring the FOOD in a container placed in an ice water bath; (5) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; (6) Adding ice as an ingredient;  or (7) Other effective methods.
Observed rice cooling at room temperature in very large plastic containers. - Repeat (Correct By: Apr 12, 2022)
35 C 3-501.13: TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD shall be thawed: (A) Under refrigeration that maintains the FOOD temperature at 5°C (41°F) or less; or (B) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of 21°C (70°F) or below, (2) With sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow, and (3) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of READY-TO-EAT FOOD to rise above 5°C (41°F), or (4) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of a raw animal FOOD requiring cooking as specified under ¶ 3-401.11(A) or (B) to be above 5°C (41°F), for more than 4 hours including: (a) The time the FOOD is exposed to the running water and the time needed for preparation for cooking, or (b) The time it takes under refrigeration to lower the FOOD temperature to 5°C (41°F); (C) As part of a cooking process if the FOOD that is frozen is: (1) Cooked as specified under ¶3-401.11(A) or (B) or § 3-401.12, or (2) Thawed in a microwave oven and immediately transferred to conventional cooking EQUIPMENT, with no interruption in the process; or (D) Using any procedure if a portion of frozen READY-TO-EAT FOOD is thawed and prepared for immediate service in response to an individual CONSUMER'S order. (E) REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGED FISH that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment: (1) Prior to its thawing under refrigeration as specified in(A) of this section; or (2) Prior to, or Immediately upon completion of, its thawing using procedures specified in (B) of this section.
Observed raw shrimp thawing in water at room temperature. Thaw all foods using one of the above methods and maintain by the next routine inspection.
39 C 3-305.11 (A) (B) (C): (A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, FOOD shall be protected from contamination by storing the FOOD: (1) In a clean, dry location; (2) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (3) At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor. (B) FOOD in packages and working containers may be stored less than 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor on case lot handling EQUIPMENT as specified under § 4-204.122. (C) Pressurized BEVERAGE containers, cased FOOD in waterproof containers such as bottles or cans, and milk containers in plastic crates may be stored on a floor that is clean and not exposed to floor moisture.
Observed the following items stored incorrectly: 1)Bowls of salsa in the walk-in cooler, 2)Cut vegetables in the walk-in cooler, 3)All products on the steam table held without lids. Cover all food products and store them at least 6" above the floor and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
43 C 3-304.12 (A): During pauses in FOOD preparation or dispensing, FOOD preparation and dispensing UTENSILS shall be stored: (A) Except as specified under (B) of this section, in the FOOD with their handles above the top of the FOOD and the container.
Observed the following improper utensils: 1)Ice scoop stored with the handle in the ice, 2)Serving spoon stored with the handle in beef, 3)A plate used to scoop rice. Use only scoops with handles, store the handles above the food, and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
47 C 4-501.12: Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.
The cutting boards at the server station are heavily scratched and in need of replacement. Replace and maintain by the next routine inspection.
47 C 4-101.19: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other FOOD soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a CORROSION-RESISTANT, nonabsorbent, and SMOOTH material.
Observed pink insulation foam used as a physical support in food prep areas. Use only materials that are corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth and maintain by the next routine inspection.
47 C 4-501.11 (A): (A) EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under Parts 4-1 and 4-2.
The prep cooler is leaking water from the fan area. Repair and maintain by the next routine inspection.
49 C 4-601.11(C): (C) NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, FOOD residue, and other debris.
The following equipment is in need of cleaning: 1)Stand up freezer, 2)Rolling cart holding the clean cutting boards, 3)Canned food rack, 4)Prep cooler. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
51 C 5-205.15 (B): A PLUMBING SYSTEM shall be(B) Maintained in good repair.
The men's room toilet will not flush properly. Repair and maintain by the next routine inspection.
55 C 6-501.12: (A)PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.(B)Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of FOOD is exposed such as after closing.
The kitchen floor below equipment is in need of cleaning. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection.
56 C 6-501.14: (A) Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials. (B) If vented to the outside, ventilation systems may not create a public health HAZARD or nuisance or unLAWful discharge.
Exhaust vents in several areas in the establishment are in need of cleaning. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection.
 

Person In Charge

  LUIS COVARRUBIAS 		 

Date:

  03/31/2022
 

Inspector

  DANA JAMES 		 

Follow-up:  Yes   No   Follow-up Date:

04/12/2022

Food Establishment Inspection Report
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Establishments: EL MEXICANO RESTAURANT Establishment #: KK295

OBSERVATIONS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Item
Number 		Severity Violations cited in this report must be corrected within the time frames below.
Inspection Comments   POST YOUR 2022 KCHD FOOD LICENSE IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE.

PRODUCT COOLING:
1)ALWAYS USE METAL PANS TO COOL. DIVIDE PRODUCT INTO SMALLER PORTIONS. LOOSELY COVER TO ALLOW STEAM TO ESCAPE. CONSIDER USING ICE PADDLES TO COOL LIQUIDS.
2)LABEL WITH THE TIME OF PREPARATION. PRODUCT MUST COOL FROM 135-71 DEGREES WITHIN 2 HOURS AND FROM 71-41 WITHIN AN ADDITIONAL 4 HOURS. ANY PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT MEET THESE GUIDELINES MUST BE DISCARDED.
HACCP Topic: SEE ABOVE.
 

Person In Charge

  LUIS COVARRUBIAS 		 

Date:

  03/31/2022
 

Inspector

  DANA JAMES 		 

Follow-up:  Yes   No   Follow-up Date:

04/12/2022