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 4
No. of Repeat Risk Factor/Intervention Violations 1
Date 10/19/2022
Time In 01:55 PM
Time Out 03:50 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 X  
10 IN OUT     Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible    

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    
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    

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   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 X Wiping cloths: properly used & stored    
42   Washing fruits & vegetables    

PROPER USE OF UTENSILS

 
43   In-use utensils: properly stored    
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   X
48 X 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   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   X
56   Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used    

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

 
57 X All food employees have food handler training    
58 X 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
Refried beans/Walk-in cooler 37.00°F Chicken/Stand up cooler 36.00°F Beef/Prep cooler 39.00°F
Cranberry juice/Bar cooler 38.00°F /3 freezers 0.00°F Red sauce/Steam table 162.00°F
Beef/Steam table 161.00°F Rice/Steam table 147.00°F Chicken/Steam table 141.00°F

OBSERVATIONS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Item
Number 		Severity Violations cited in this report must be corrected within the time frames below.
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: Jan 17, 2023)
3 Violation (2-103.11(N)): Food employees and conditional employees are informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report in accordance with Law, to the Person in charge, information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food, as specified under 2-201.11(A); In violation of 2-103.11(O): written procedures and plans, where specified by the Code and as developed by the Food establishment, are maintained and implemented as required. Corrective Action: The establishment shall have documentation that provides evidence that employees have been informed of their responsibility to report information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food to the person in charge. - (Correct By: Oct 31, 2022)
9 P 3-301.11 (B): (B) Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified under §3-302.15 or as specified in ¶¶ (D) and (E) of this section, FOOD EMPLOYEES may not contact exposed, READY-TO-EAT FOOD with their bare hands and shall use suitable UTENSILS such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing EQUIPMENT.
Observed cook touching tortillas, cheese, and other ready to eat foods with bare hands. 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.
Refried beans, rice, and cooked chiles above 71 degrees after 2 hours of cooling. These products were reheated and properly cooled. COS,Repeat
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 the following issues with cooling food: 1)Several large pans of refried beans cooling at room temperature, 2)Tray of chiles cooling at room temperature, 3)Very large pot of salsa cooling in the walk-in cooler, 4)Large plastic container of rice cooling in the walk-in cooler. All cooling products must be cooled by using one of the above methods. - Repeat (Correct By: Oct 31, 2022)
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 food items stored improperly: 1)Pork uncovered in walk-in cooler, 2)Cut vegetables uncovered in walk-in cooler, 3)Hot held foods uncovered at steam table, 4)Stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler and dry storage areas. Store all foods covered and 6" above the floor and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
41 C 3-304.14 (B)(1)(2): (B) Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other EQUIPMENT surfaces shall be: (1) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under § 4-501.114; and (2) Laundered daily as specified under ¶ 4-802.11(D).
Observed several in-use wiping cloths stored on countertops between uses. Store all in-use wiping cloths in a sanitizer solution 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. Repeat
48 4-303.11(B) Except for those that are generated on-site at the time of use, chemical SANITIZERS that are used to sanitize EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS as specified under Part 4-7, shall be provided and available for use during all hours of operation.
There is no prepared sanitizer solution in the kitchen. Provide a sanitizer solution during all food prep activities and maintain by the next routine inspection.
49 C 4-602.13: NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.
The following non-food contact surfaces are in need of cleaning: 1)Prep table legs and base, 2)Cart next to the prep table, 3)Shelves above the hot table. Clean and maintain by the next routine inspection. Repeat
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. Repeat
57 Violation: Not all food employees have Food Handler Certification. Corrective Action: Provide accredited Food Handler Certification for all food employees by the next routine inspection.
58 Violation: Not all certified Food protection managers have completed allergen awareness training. Corrective Action: All employees that are certified food safety managers shall completed allergen awareness training by the next routine inspection.
Inspection Comments   EMPLOYEES PLACED REFRIED BEANS IN A POT IN AN ICE BATH DURING THE INSPECTION. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED RAPIDLY. PLANS WERE MADE TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS FOR ALL PRODUCTS NOTED ABOVE AND IN THE FUTURE. USE AN ICE BATH TO COOL ALL LARGE QUANTITIES OF LIQUIDS INCLUDING REFRIED BEANS AND SALSA. ALSO DISCUSSED USING ICE AS AN INGREDIENT IN THESE ITEMS.
HACCP Topic: PROPER COOLING PROCEDURES.
 

Person In Charge

  CAROLINA 		 

Date:

  10/19/2022
 

Inspector

  DANA JAMES 		 

Follow-up:  Yes   No   Follow-up Date:

10/31/2022