Grocery Store · Chicago, IL

Cermak Produce

5220 S Pulaski Rd

Last inspected Oct 21, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was Cermak Produce last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Oct 21, 2026. The result listed by Chicago Department of Public Health was “Pass”.
Were any violations recorded at the last inspection?: Yes: 4 violations recorded. Each one is listed below with the official wording.
How many inspections are on record?: 3 inspections on record, from May 3, 2024 to Oct 21, 2026.
Has Cermak Produce ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 3 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated May 3, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

3 inspections

Canvass

Oct 21, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 16Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED MOLD LIKE BUILD UP ON INTERIOR OF ICE MACHINE IN REAR PREP AREA. (ICE NOT USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED CARDBOARD IN USE ON SHELVING IN STORAGE AREA NEAR HOT FOOD AREA IN FRONT. OBSERVED FOIL ON SHELVING IN REAR PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE NON-FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS AND MAINTAIN SHELVES SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED LOOSE HANDLE ON FAUCET IN WOMEN'S RESTROOM IN FRONT OF STORE. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN TIGHT FITTING.

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO BASEBOARDS AROUND PERIMETER IN MEAT PROCESSING ROOM CAUSING BOTTOMS OF WALLS TO BE WATER DAMAGED. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND PROPERLY ENCLOSE.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 21, 2026 · Original Source

Complaint

Sep 12, 2025

Pass

5 recorded violations

notedCode 38Pests

Official Wording

INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

Inspector’s Notes

FLY GLUE STRIPS HANGING FROM CEILING IN BAKERY PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE AND USE PROPER INSECT CONTROL DEVICES ONLY.

In Plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED

Inspector’s Notes

RUSTY SURFACES ON BOTTOM OF PREP/STORAGE TABLES IN RESTAURANT PREP AREA AND ON ROLLING CARTS IN MEAT PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE RUST AND MAINTAIN

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

HEAVY BLACK SUBSTANCE ACCUMULATION ON CAULKING AT BASE OF 3-COMPARTMENT SINKS THROUGH OUT. INSTD TO CLEAN/REPLACE CAULKING AND MAINTAIN

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s Notes

PIPE LEAKING UNDER BAKERY 3-COMPARTMENT SINK DELI AREA. INSTD TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

DAMAGED FLOOR IN CHICKEN PREP AREA CAUSING STANDING WATER. INSTD TO REPAIR FLOOR SO AS SURFACE TO BE SMOOTH, EVEN, AND EASILY CLEANABLE. PEELING PAINT ON CEILING IN CHICKEN PREP AREA. INSTD TO REMOVE PEELING PAINT AND MANTAIN SURFACE

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Sep 12, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

May 3, 2024

Pass

3 recorded violations

notedCode 51Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official Wording

PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED LEAKING HANDSINK IN DELI/MEAT AREA(FRONT SINK NEAR HOT HOLDING). INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED CARTS FOR TRANSPORTING FOOD TO HAVE BUILD UP OF RUST. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO CLEAN OR REPLACE.

In Plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official Wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED BROKEN LIGHT SHIELD IN MEAT DEPARTMENT STOCK WALK IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, May 3, 2024 · Original Source