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EMPIRE FOOD MART INC.

7052 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

EMPIRE FOOD MART INC. has been inspected 4 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since January 25, 2022. The most recent inspection, on November 8, 2024, found no infractions.

2 of 4 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: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Cleaning and sanitizing and Pests.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

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.

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2022. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2022. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 times on January 28, 2022. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 once on January 28, 2022. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • 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 5 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 4, 2022. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

4 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. License Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES ALONG BASEBOARDS IN REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEA ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF SURFACES ON COOLERS, FREEZER AND SHELVING UNITS. INSRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS IN WALLS IN FRONT CLOSET AND REAR STORAGE AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License

    15 infractions

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGN AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO SOAP AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OSERVED NO PAPER TOWELS OR SANITARY HAND DRYING DEVICES AT HAND WASHING SINK IN WASHROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-030(C)
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED TWO REACH-IN COOLERS AND FREEZER AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE 57.2F AND NOT OPERABLE IN SALES AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN COOLERS AT 41F OR BELOW OR REMOVE FROM PREMISES. PRIORITY 7-38-005
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OVER 40 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR IN SALES AREA AND 20 RAT DROPPINGS ON FLOOR IN CLOSET AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CALL AN EXTERMINATOR FOR SERVICE, CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/2" GAP UNDER FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES ON FLOOR AND SHELVING BEHIND FRONT COUNTER. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL RAW WOOD SURFACES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF SURFACES ON COOLERS, FREEZER AND SHELVING UNITS. INSRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO BACK FLOW DEVICE ON UTILITY SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CARPET ON FLOOR INSIDE UTILITY ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE FLOORING IN UTILITY ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED ARTICLES IN EQUIPMENT IN STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ARTICLES TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DUST, DIRT, AND DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN PREP AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 62. COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCE
      • OBSERVED NO SMOKING SIGNS NOT POSTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. SMOKING ORDINANCE 7-32-020(A)
    • 64. MISCELLANEOUS / PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
      • OBSERVED NO MASK REQUIREMENT SIGNAGE INSIDE BUSINESS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO POST MASK REQUIREMENT SIGN AT LEAST ONE LOCATION INSIDE BUSINESS INFORMING CUSTOMERS THAT MASS ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN INDOORS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER 2-112-340
  4. License

    0 infractions

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