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ALTAVISTA FOODS

3942 N SHERIDAN RD, CHICAGO, IL 60613 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

ALTAVISTA FOODS has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since August 15, 2014. The most recent inspection, on December 15, 2021, recorded 5 infractions.

None of the 10 inspections on record were free of infractions. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Cleaning and sanitizing, Food temperature control and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times on December 30, 2019. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 28, 2017. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 7, 2020. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded once on November 26, 2021. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on December 30, 2019. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

10 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    5 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES INSIDE DISPLAY COOLERS AND DISPLAY COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PESTS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS OF THE VENTILATION UNIT THROUGHOUT THE DISPLAY COOLER UNIT SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MULTIPLE CRACKS ON THE FLOOR AT DISPLAY AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Short Form Complaint

    7 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-501.111 NOTED OVER 50 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR, ALONG WALL BASE AND EQUIPMENT AT THE REAR DRY FOOD STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL, CLEAN, AND SANITIZE AFFECTED AREAS, ELIMINATING PEST ACTIVITY. INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT WITH PEST CONTROL COMPANY AND HAVE PREMISES TREATED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION #7-38-020(A).
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-202.16 NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES INSIDE DISPLAY COOLERS AND DISPLAY COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PESTS.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-201.11 OTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES INSIDE WALK-IN COOLERS AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON-TOXIC FOOD-GRADE PAINT, AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.15 LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.17 MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENINGS ON THE CEILING AND ALONG PIPPING. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PESTS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.12 MULTIPLE CRACKS ON THE FLOOR AT DISPLAY AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • 6-201.17 DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS OF THE VENTILATION UNIT THROUGHOUT THE DISPLAY COOLER UNIT SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED CARDBOARD BOXES USED TO LINE SHELVES INSIDE DISPLAY COOLERS AND DISPLAY COUNTERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND REMOVE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES TO PREVENT HIDING PLACES FOR PEST
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • NOTED RUSTY AND DIRTY SHELVES INSIDE WALK IN COOLERS AT THE REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN, REPAINT WITH NON TOXIC FOOD GRADE PAINT AND/OR REPLACE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • NOTED LEAKING FAUCET AT THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED MULTIPLE HOLES AND OPENINGS ON THE CEILING AND ALONG PIPPING. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL HOLES AND OPENINGS TO PREVENT ENTRY PLACES FOR PESTS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED MULTIPLE CRACKS ON THE FLOOR AT DISPLAY AND REAR DRY STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • NOTED DIRTY AND DUSTY CEILING FANS OF VENTILATION UNIT THROUGH OUT THE DISPLAY COOLER UNIT SYSTEM. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILTY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE /PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE
  5. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFICATE ON SITE AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY/TRAINING SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE DOCUMENTS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURE/PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILTY TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A PROCEDURE /PLAN AND TO MAINTAIN ANY APPROPRIATE SUPPLIES ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH LEAKING CEILING. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN CELING OF SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER. OBSERVED NORTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH EXCESS FROZEN CONDENSATE. DEFROST AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FAUCET AT THREE COMPARTMENT SINK UNABLE TO REACH ALL 3 COMPARTENTS. MUST REPLACE FAUCET SO THAT IT REACHES AND CAN FILL ALL 3 COMPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY WASH RINSE AND SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-025
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO TESTING DEVICE ON SITE TO TEST SANITIZER CONCENTRATION. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLAITON 7-38-005
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MOP SINK UNCLEAN. CLEAN AND MAINTAI MOP SINK.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED HOT WATER HANDLE TO MOP SINK IN DISREPAIR. MUST RESTORE HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER TO MOP SINK AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES. OBSERVED HAND SINK NEXT TO 3 COMPARTMENT SINK LEAKING. REPAIR LEAK AND MAINTAIN SINK. OBSERVED SINK STOPPERS ARE NEEDED AT 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED SOUTH END WALK IN COOLER WITH BLACK MILDEW LIKE SUBSTANCE ON CEILING AND WALL NEAR CONDENSER. MUST CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AFFECTED AREAS AND MAINTAIN WLAK IN COOLER.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED FLOORS IN THE EMPLOYEE WASHROOM ARE IN DISREPAIR AND NOT SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN FLOORS. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND 3 COMPARTMETN SINK UNCLEAN WITH SPLATTER. OBSERVED WALL BEHIND PREP COUNTER IN NORTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER UNCLEAN. CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED FLOOR OR SOUTH SIDE WALK IN COOLER WITH STANDING WATER. MAINTAIN CLEAN DRY FLOOR.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED NO PROOF OF FOOD HANDLER TRAINING. MUST PROVIDE
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOUND FOODHANDLERS AT PREMISES WITH NO FOODHANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.
  7. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOUND FOODHANDLERS AT PREMISES WITH NO FOODHANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.
  8. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • FOUND REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. COLD HOLDING AT 50.OF. CRITICAL VIOLATION. 7-38-005A. TAGGED COOLER.
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • FOUND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURES. 20 POUNDS RAW CHICKEN AT 51.5F, 20 POUNDS RAW BEEF AT 51.3F, 15POUNDS RAW PORK AT 54.8F, 100 POUNDS CHEESE AT 48.7F, 15 POUNDS PASTA AT 53.2F, 60 POUNDS HUMMUS AT 47.3F, AND 20 POUNDS 50.0F. CRITICAL VIOLATION. 7-38-005A. DISPOSED OF APPROXIMATELY 250 POUNDS FOOD VALUE AT 1000 DOLLARS.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOUND FOODHANDLERS AT PREMISES WITH NO FOODHANDLER CERTIFICATES. MUST PROVIDE.
  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR UNDERNEATH PALLETS IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER. MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. OBSERVED CRACKED FLOOR TILES IN FRONT AND REAR DISPLAY AREA. MUST REAPIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DIRT AND DEBRIS ON WALL BEHIND 3-COMPARTMENT SINK AND INSIDE EMPLOYEES WASHROOM MUST CLEAN AND MAINTAIN. MISSING AND WATER DAMAGED CEILING TILES IN REAR FOOD STORAGE AREA ABOVE STORAGE SHELVING. MUST REPAIR/REPALCE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED LEAKY FAUCET BASE AT THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN REAR STORAGE AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. NO BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE AT THE MOP SINK IN REAR FOOD STORAGEE AREA. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • THERMOMETER NEEDED AT THE FRONT DISPLAY MEAT COOLER. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
  10. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED HEAVY DUST BUILDUP ON BOTH FAN VENTS COVERS IN THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • FOUND FROZEN BLOOD IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP FREEZER USED TO STORE MEATS. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE MEAT FREEZER IN REAR STORAGE AREA.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST INSTALL LIGHT SHIELDS FOR THE LIGHT FIXTURE ABOVE DRY STORAGE IN REAR AND ALSO IN THE SODA COOLER. Edit Delete
    • 39. LINEN: CLEAN AND SOILED PROPERLY STORED
      • FOUND THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE REAR IS SLOW DRAINING. MUST REPAIR SINK TO ALLOW PROPER DRAINAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE EMPTY BOXES IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE THE WALK-IN COOLER AND MAINTAIN.

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