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Chicago health inspectors cite Advocate Illinois Masonic kitchens for pest and sanitation violations
An Oct. 16 inspection found more than 200 live cockroaches in the hospital’s café and patient kitchen, along with an unsanitary ice machine and other violations. Advocate says patients continue to receive meals through alternative food-preparation and service arrangements while it addresses the findings.
Chicago health inspectors failed the Rendezvous Café and patient kitchen at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center on Oct. 16 after finding more than 200 live cockroaches and multiple sanitation and maintenance violations, according to a city inspection report.
The cockroaches were found in several areas, including food-preparation and grill spaces, near a deep fryer, in dry storage, in a valve room or closet, and in the main dish room. Inspectors ordered pest-control treatment, removal of pest activity, and cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and equipment.
The report also described black slime inside an ice machine, with some slime dripping onto ice intended for people to consume. Inspectors noted grease on cooking equipment, walls, floors and shelving, as well as food debris on a can opener.
Some problems had been cited during an April 15 inspection and were still unresolved, the report said. Those included dead cockroaches beneath storage racks and near a sink, along with grease, food debris and dirt on floors.
Other violations included utensils stored improperly, milk crates used as shelving, a torn cooler-door gasket, and damaged or missing floor tiles and grout. The city issued citations for the infestation, the contaminated ice machine and the failure to correct earlier violations.
A hospital spokesperson said Advocate was taking steps to address the inspection findings and meet requirements to resume kitchen operations safely. Patients’ meals, the spokesperson said, continue without interruption through alternative food-preparation and meal-service arrangements.