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SAM FOOD MART INC

1438 W 103RD ST, CHICAGO, IL 60643 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

SAM FOOD MART INC has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 26, 2011. The most recent inspection, on February 6, 2024, found no infractions.

2 of 12 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, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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.

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 6, 2024. For example: WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED

  • 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 3 times on May 8, 2019. 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 30, 2024. 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 December 5, 2013. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 19 times across 9 separate inspections, most recently on February 6, 2024. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

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.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass Re-Inspection

    8 infractions

    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SANITIZING BUCKETS TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALL COUNTERS IN REAR AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND UNNECESSARY CLUTTER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND REMOVE ROCKS HOLDING UP SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MOP SINK IS CURRENTLY NOT CONNECTED TO CITY PLUMBING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECTED AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OILET ROOM IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGH OUT IN NEED OF CLENING TO REMOVE ALL DEBIS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN REAR PREP AREA MUST BE REMOVED OR ORGANIZED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  3. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MOUSE DROPPINGS ALONG WALL BASES BEHIND REACH IN COOLERS, IN FURNACE AREA AND UNDER SHELVES. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN ALL AREAS AND CONTACT PEST CONTROL FOR SERVICE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 41. WIPING CLOTHS: PROPERLY USED & STORED
      • ALL WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN A CLEAN SANITIZING SOLUTION WHEN NOT IN USE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE SANITIZING BUCKETS TO HOLD WIPING CLOTHS
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • ALL COUNTERS IN REAR AREA IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND UNNECESSARY CLUTTER. CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF REACH IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING TO REMOVE ALL DEBRIS AND REMOVE ROCKS HOLDING UP SHELF. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • HANDSINK IN FRONT PREP AREA SLOW DRAINING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECTED AND MAINTAIN.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MOP SINK IS CURRENTLY NOT CONNECTED TO CITY PLUMBING. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • TOILET ROOM IN NEED OF DETAIL CLEANING INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS THROUGH OUT IN NEED OF CLENING TO REMOVE ALL DEBIS AND BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • ALL UNNECESSARY CLUTTER IN REAR PREP AREA MUST BE REMOVED OR ORGANIZED. INSTRUCTED TO CORRECT AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4" IN GAP IN EXTERIOR REAR DOOR AROUND KNOB NOT ALLOWING DOOR TO CLOSE FLUSH TO FRAME. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UN-USED, RUSTY EQUIPMENT IN KITCHEN PREP AREA(MEAT SLICING MACHINE). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE UN-USED EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS AND GRIME ON FLOORS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN ELECTICAL CLOSET AND WATER METER CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN
  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    7 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE POSTED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION CITATION ISSUED 7-38-012
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO DIARRHEAL AND VOMITING EVENTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES. PRIOIRTY FOUNDATION 7-38-005
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP(80.2F-85.5F) AND WASHROOM (84F) AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE AT LEAST 100F WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY CITATION ISSUED 7038-030(C)
    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HAND WASHING SIGNS AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP AND DISH WASHING AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE HAND WASHING SIGNS AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS USED BY EMPLOYEES.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS IN REAR FURNACE ROOM, ELECTICAL CLOSET AND WATER METER CLOSET. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOORS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED LIGHT SHIELD IN FRONT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE EXCESS POP CRATES NEAR REAR DOOR. REMOVE SOILED WATER AND STORE MOP HEAD UPRIGHT TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
  9. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE EXCESS ICE BUILD UP FROM THE REACH IN FREEZERS IN THE FRONT OF THE STORE. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS IN ALL CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE HOT WATER KNOB ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. MAINTAIN SAME.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE EXCESS MILK AND POP CRATES IN THE REAR PREP AND FROM IN FRONT OF THE REAR DOOR.
  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • PROVIDE LIGHT SHIELDS ALONG WALL IN FRONT NACHO PREP AREA.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • REPAIR LEAKING DRAINPIPE UNDER FRONT EXPOSED SINK.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • PROVIDE METAL STEM THERMOMETER FOR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES.
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN COOLER FAN GUARD COVERS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • NEED TO CLEAN INSIDE THE LIGHT SHIELDS.
  12. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • The walls and ceilings shall be in good repair and easily cleaned. SEAL ALL OPENINGS AROUND PIPE FITTINGS UNDER SINK, BEHIND TOILET, ETC IN WASHROOM.
    • 37. TOILET ROOM DOORS SELF CLOSING: DRESSING ROOMS WITH LOCKERS PROVIDED: COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM LIVING/SLEEPING QUARTERS
      • REPAIR SELF-CLOSING DEVICE ON WASHROOM DOOR.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTALL AN ATTACHED METAL DRAINBOARD ON 3-COMP SINK.

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