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EL MERCADO BARATO,INC.

2766 N MILWAUKEE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60647 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

EL MERCADO BARATO,INC. has been inspected 6 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 5, 2011. The most recent inspection, on September 4, 2013, found no infractions.

3 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Food source, labelling and allergens and Pests.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 22, 2013. For example: FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE

  • Food source, labelling and allergensHigher risk

    Food must come from approved suppliers, stay in labelled containers and be thrown out when it is spoiled or damaged, such as dented or swollen cans. Labelling matters for allergies: an unlabelled container can hide an allergen.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 4, 2013. For example: FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED

  • 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 August 22, 2013. For example: NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 2 times on July 26, 2012. For example: FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.

    Recorded 2 times on July 26, 2012. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

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.

6 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL ALL PACKAGED PRODUCE IN DISPLAY CASE, WITH THE SOURCE OF WHERE PRODUCT COMES FROM,
  3. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • WALK-IN COOLER REAR AREA OF STORE NOT MAINTAINING TEMPS 40'F AND BELOW, TEMPS READING 55.9'F, MUST RESTRICT STORING EGGS, CHEESE AND MILK ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS INSIDE COOLER, UNTIL COOLER IS READING AT 40'F, MAY USE FOR POP AND JUICE ONLY, COOLER TAGGED FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS, MUST FAX LETTER FOR TAG REMOVAL ONCE COOLER IS READING 40'F AND BELOW, FAX NUMBER 312 746-4240 CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS IN WALK-IN COOLER READING 55.9'F, MILK, CHEESE, EGGS, AND CREAM CHEESE, ALL DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF $1,000.00, AND ABOUT 400 POUNDS, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 9. WATER SOURCE: SAFE, HOT & COLD UNDER CITY PRESSURE
      • NO RUNNING HOT WATER ON SITE AT THIS TIME OF INSPECTION, AT HAND SINK, MOP SINK OR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK, MUST PROVIDE, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-030
    • 18. NO EVIDENCE OF RODENT OR INSECT OUTER OPENINGS PROTECTED/RODENT PROOFED, A WRITTEN LOG SHALL BE MAINTAINED AVAILABLE TO THE INSPECTORS
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON SITE WITH UP TO DATE PEST CONTROL REPORTS, AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THATS NEEDED INSIDE LOG BOOK, BUSINESS LICENSE, CHEMICALS USED, MAP, ETC., OBSERVED APPROX. 50 SMALL FLIES IN REAR STORAGE AREA AND FRONT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF, APPROX. 1/4 GAP OPENING AT BOTTOM OF FRONT DOOR, SERIOUS CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-020
    • 29. PREVIOUS MINOR VIOLATION(S) CORRECTED 7-42-090
      • CONTINUED NON COMPLIANCE ON PREVIOUS ORDERS ISSUED: 07/26/2012, REPORT NUMBER, 1234330 FOR VIOLATIONS LISTED, 34 MUST CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, FIRST FLOOR AND BASEMENT AREAS 36 MUST PROVIDE LIGHT REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER 41 MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER REAR STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS, CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN
    • 30. FOOD IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER, PROPERLY LABELED: CUSTOMER ADVISORY POSTED AS NEEDED
      • MUST LABEL ALL PACKAGED PRODUCE IN DISPLAY CASE, WITH THE SOURCE OF WHERE PRODUCT COMES FROM,
  4. Complaint

    6 infractions

    • 2. FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPERATURE
      • OBSERVED FRONT PRODUCE DISPLAY COOLER READING 48'F, INSTRUCTED TO RESTRICT STORING DAIRY PRODUCTS INSIDE COOLER, MAY BE USED FOR PRODUCE ONLY, COOLER TAGGED, MUST FAX LETTER FOR TAG REMOVAL ONCE COOLERS AREA READING 40'F AND BELOW TO STORE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS, WALK-IN COOLER REAR AREA OF STORE NOT MAINTAINING TEMPS 40'F AND BELOW, TEMPS READING 48.9'F, MUST RESTRICT STORING EGGS AND MILK INSIDE COOLER, UNTIL COOLER IS READING AT 40'F, MAY USE FOR POP AND JUICE ONLY, COOLER TAGGED FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS, MUST FAX LETTER FOR TAG REMOVAL ONCE COOLERS AREA READING 40'F AND BELOW, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • OBSERVED 30 PEELED CANTALOUPES BEING STORED OUT SIDE FRONT DOOR BEING OFFERED FOR SELL AT IMPROPER TEMP., READING 80'F, PRODUCT DUMPED AND DISCARDED, TOTAL COST $30.00, TOTAL POUNDS 60, OBSERVED DAIRY PRODUCTS IN FRONT DISPLAY COOLER AT IMPROPER TEMPS., READING 47.8F', MILK, CHEESE, AND CREAM CHEESE, PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF $60.49, AND TOTAL POUNDS 40, OBSERVED MILK IN REAR WALK-IN COOLER READING AT IMPROPER TEMP.,47.9, EGGS READING 47.8, ALL PRODUCT DUMPED AND DENATURED, AT A COST OF MILK DUMPED $52.29, AND TOTAL POUNDS 181, COST OF EGGS DUMPED $17.49 AND TOTAL POUNDS 11, CRITICAL CITATION ISSUED: 7-38-005(A)
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • MUST CLEAN FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREMISES, FIRST FLOOR AND BASEMENT AREAS
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • MUST PROVIDE LIGHT REAR STORAGE AREA AND INSIDE WALK-IN COOLER
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • MUST REPAIR LEAKING PIPES UNDER THREE COMPARTMENT SINK REAR STORAGE AREA
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • MUST REMOVE ALL CLUTTER REAR STORAGE AND BASEMENT AREAS, CLEAN AND BETTER MAINTAIN
  5. License

    0 infractions

  6. License

    0 infractions

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