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TRADER JOE'S EAST

44 E ONTARIO ST, CHICAGO, IL 60611 · Grocery Store

Inspection summary

TRADER JOE'S EAST has been inspected 17 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since June 1, 2010. The most recent inspection, on April 1, 2024, found no infractions.

3 of 17 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, Handwashing and staff hygiene 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.

  • 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 5 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on December 27, 2023. For example: THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE

  • 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 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on October 26, 2018. 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 March 25, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 11 times across 7 separate inspections, most recently on June 15, 2017. For example: VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED

  • 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 9 times across 8 separate inspections, most recently on December 27, 2023. 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.

17 inspections

  1. Complaint Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Short Form Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 10 SMALL DARK WINGED FLIES IN DEMO KITCHEN IN REAR OF FACILITY. OBSERVED SMALL FLIES ON WALLS, BOXES, THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND SIDE OF ICE MACHINE. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE SMALL FLY ACTIVITY, CLEAN AND SANITIZE INTERIOR OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND CLEAN OTHER AFFECTED AREAS. RECOMMENDED PEST CONTROL SERVICE FACILITY ON OR AFTER 3/25/2024. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED.
  3. Complaint

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AGREEMENTS ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ON SITE FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. #7-38-010. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • UNABLE TO LOCATE THERMOMETER INSIDE OF DISPLAY DAIRY COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED VARIOUS ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE AREA IN FACILITY. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELVING UNITS. ALL SAID ITEMS SHOULD BE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OFF FLOOR.
  5. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • One cooler where thermometer kept at rear behind product, instructed to keep at warmest part where it's easy to view.
  6. Suspected Food Poisoning

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY THAT INCLUDES A SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM EACH EMPLOYEE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MIDDLE FAUCET HANDLE ON THREE COMPARTMENT SINK IS BROKEN. MUST REPAIR.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-102.14 (N)- OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO COMPLY AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012(A). NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • 2-501.11- FOUND NO COMPLETE PROCEDURES ON SITE FOR THE CLEAN UP OF VOMITING AND DIAREAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUE.
    • 36. THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE
      • 4-204.112(B)- OBSERVED NO INTERNAL THERMOMETER MEASURING DEVICE IN REFRIGERATOR UNIT LOCATED IN EMPLOYEE BREAK ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 40. PERSONAL CLEANLINESS
      • 2-402.11- OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER IN SAMPLE DEMO STATION WITHOUT HAIR NETS/RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ALWAYS PROVIDE HAIR NETS/RESTRAINTS FOR FOOD HANDLERS AT PREP AREAS. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • 5-205.12- OBSERVED FAUCET NECK ON 3 COMPARTMENT SINK SLIGHTLY LONGER THAN WIDTH OF RINSE BASIN. IN ORDER TO FILL SINK BASIN WATER MUST BE TURN ON/DISPENSED WITH LOW CITY WATER PRESSURE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO INSTALL FAUCET NECK THAT ALLOWS WATER TO DISPENSE INTO RINSE SINK UNDER SUFFICIENT CITY WATER PRESSURE. MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  9. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • FOUND A BROKEN AND CRACKED LIGTH SHIELD COVER ABOVE THE SPICES AISLE. MUST REPAIR/REPLACE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • FOUND A NON-WORKING EXHAUST VENT INSIDE THE UNISEX RESTROOM ON THE LEFT SIDE.MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • FOUND FOOD PREP STAFF MEMBER AT THE FOOD SAMPLING AREA NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO ALWAYS PROVIDE HAIR RESTRAINTS FOR FOOD PREP STAFF MEMBERS AT FOOD PREP AREAS.
    • 45. FOOD HANDLER REQUIREMENTS MET
      • FOUND FOOD PREP STAFF MEMBER AT THE FOOD SAMPLE AREA WITHOUT THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN THEIR IDPH FOOD HANDLER'S CERTIFICATES FOR ALL FOOD PREP STAFF MEMBER'S WHO PREPARE FOOD SAMPLES AND ALL NEW HIRES MUST ALSO OBTAIN WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE.
  10. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR BASIN OF THE EXPOSED HAND SINK BEHIND THE SAMPLE AREA OF THE STORE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FOOD DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO THE MOP SINK AND DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR IN THE WALK-IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON THE CEILING AND FAN VENT COVER OF THE WALK-IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN FRESH GROUND COFFE STATION IN DISPLAY AISLE OF SPILLS.
    • 33. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT EQUIPMENT UTENSILS CLEAN, FREE OF ABRASIVE DETERGENTS
      • CLEAN INTERIOR BOTTOM OF COMPARTMENTS AT REAR DEMO STATION OF DUST AND DEBRIS, MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN VENTS AT CEILING IN RESTROOMS OF DUST BUILD-UP.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • REMOVE CLUTTER IN EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOM AREA ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  12. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED FLOOR WITH ACCUMULATED FOOD AND PAPER DEBRIS UNDER GROCERY SHELVING AND UNDER SHELVING IN BACK STORAGE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • OBSERVED BLOWN LIGHT BULBS INSIDE OF THE WALK IN COOLER AND WALK IN FREEZER. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LIGHTING.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • OBSERVED WET MOPS STORED IN MOP WATER AND MOP BUCKETS. INSTRUCTED TO HANG OR INVERT WET MOPS.
    • 42. APPROPRIATE METHOD OF HANDLING OF FOOD (ICE) HAIR RESTRAINTS AND CLEAN APPAREL WORN
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLER IN THE REAR HANDLING FOOD WITHOUT A HAIR RESTRAINT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE HANDLING FOOD.
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 14. PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION CORRECTED, 7-42-090
      • PREVIOUS SERIOUS VIOLATION FROM REPORT #1138425 ON 7/30/12 NOT CORRECTED: 21/02 - NO CERTIFIED FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE, AND NO CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. A SAMPLING COUNTER IS LOCATED AT THE BACK OF STORE WHERE SLICING AND PORTIONING OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD SAMPLES (CHEESE AND CRACKERS) ARE GIVEN TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED MGR. TO OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE. A PHONE CALL WAS MADE TO A CERTIFIED MANAGER AND HE ARRIVED ONSITE AT 11:30AM. CRITICAL VIOLATION 7-42-090.
    • 28. * INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY DISPLAYED AND VISIBLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS
      • PREVIOUS INSPECTION REPORT SUMMARY FROM 7/30/12 WAS NOT POSTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. AN INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT FROM 8/19/11 WAS POSTED IN A FRAME ON THE WALL BEHIND THE SERVICE DESK. MANAGEMENT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF TODAY'S INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO POST IT IN VIEW OF ALL CUSTOMERS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-42-010B.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • CLEAN AND SANITIZE THE DEAD FLIES FROM THE PRODUCE COLUMNS.
  14. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • NO CERTIFIED FOOD AND SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE, NO CERTIFICATE POSTED WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUSE FOODS, A SAMPLING COUNTER AT THE BACK OF STORE WHERE SLICING AND PORTIONING OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD SAMPLES GIVING TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTED MGR TO OBTAIN A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • BOXES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES STORED ON FLOOR IN REAR STORAGE ROOMS, INSTRUCTED TO STORE OFF FLOOR.
  15. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • ALL STOCK/SUPLLIES AT DRY OR COLD STORAGE AREAS MUST BE ELEVATED OFF THE FLOOR. The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • ANY MILK CRATES USED FOR DRY/COLD STORAGE RACKS MUST BE REPLACED WITH REGULAR SHELVINGS, FOR EASY ACCESS TO CLEANING/PEST MONITORING. All parts of the food establishment and all parts of the property used in connection with the operation of the establishment shall be kept neat and clean and should not produce any offensive odors.
  16. Complaint

    1 infraction

    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. MUST PROVIDE THERMOMETER FOR DAIRY REACH IN COOLER.
  17. Complaint

    2 infractions

    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health. Washroom handwash bowl sink draining slowly. Must repair and maintain sink.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • All food establishments that display, prepare, or store potentially hazardous foods shall have calibrated metal stem thermometers, provided and conspicuous, for refrigerated and hot food units. No thermometer inside milk reach in cooler. Must provide thermometer for cooler.

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