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FLAVA FOOD 4 THE SOUL

3952 W 16TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60623 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

FLAVA FOOD 4 THE SOUL has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since May 9, 2019. The most recent inspection, on August 4, 2023, found no infractions.

3 of 7 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Food source, labelling and allergens.

The last 3 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

  • 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 5 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2020. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 13, 2020. For example: CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD

  • 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 October 13, 2020. For example: FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2020. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 6, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

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.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    9 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MUST PROVIDE A (CONSUMER ADVISORY) DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENUS REGARDING UNDERCOOKED EGGS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ADJUST (EXTEND) THE SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER TO PREVENT FOOD CONTAMINATION, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM LOWER SHELVES ON PREP TABLES, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A COVERED RECEPTACLE IN GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TIO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT REAR FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO, REPAIR UNFINISHED WALL AT REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
  5. Canvass

    11 infractions

    • 25. CONSUMER ADVISORY PROVIDED FOR RAW/UNDERCOOKED FOOD
      • MUST PROVIDE A (CONSUMER ADVISORY) DISCLOSURE AND REMINDER STATEMENT ON MENUS REGARDING UNDERCOOKED EGGS. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • FOUND CHICKEN AND FISH BEING THAWED IMPROPERLY IN BUCKETS OF WATER, INSTRUCTED TO THAW UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER OR OVERNIGHT IN COOLER.
    • 37. FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER
      • MUST LABEL FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS WITH COMMON FOOD NAMES; FLOUR, SUGAR, ETC., WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ORIGINAL PACKAGING. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ONSITE DURING THE INSPECTION, WITH CURRENT INSPECTION REPORTS. INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE, AND KEEP REPORTS ONSITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • MUST STORE WIPING CLOTHS IN PREP AREAS IN SANITIZER BUCKET BETWEEN USES TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION. INSTRUCTED TO MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST ADJUST (EXTEND) THE SNEEZE GUARD AT FRONT SERVICE COUNTER TO PREVENT FOOD CONTAMINATION, INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • MUST CLEAN LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS FROM LOWER SHELVES ON PREP TABLES, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • MUST PROVIDE A COVERED RECEPTACLE IN GENDER NEUTRAL TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TIO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND LOOSE FOOD DEBRIS ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT PREP AREA, AND BASEMENT, INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR MISSING FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT REAR FOOD PREP AREA. ALSO, REPAIR UNFINISHED WALL AT REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS NOT MET. INFORMATION PROVIDED.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14(C) NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11: NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
  7. License

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY IN PLACE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-010.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO PROCEDURE FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • NO FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURE DEVICE ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SAME. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • RAT DROPPINGS SCATTERED ON BASEMENT FLOOR. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CLUTTER, DEBRIS, TRASH THROUGH OUT BASEMENT. INSTD TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, AND CLUTTER, TRASH, DEBRIS THROUGH OUT BASEMENT. BASEMENT MUST BE CLEAN AND MAINTAINED DRY. HOLES NOTED IN WALLS IN BASEMENT. INSTD TO SEAL HOLES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A).
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • NO CHEMICAL TEST KITS ON SITE. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MISSING LIGHTSHIELDS IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTD TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • MISSING ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED. INSTD TO OBTAIN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN VERIFICATION.

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