Grocery Store · Chicago, IL

J & A Oriental Food Mart

5755 W Fullerton Ave

Last inspected Nov 4, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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More Issues RecentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

Quick Answers

When was J & A Oriental Food Mart last inspected?: The most recent inspection on record was on Nov 4, 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?: 4 inspections on record, from Jun 3, 2024 to Nov 4, 2026.
Has J & A Oriental Food Mart ever been closed by the health department?: No closure appears in the 4 inspection records we hold for this business. The earliest is dated Jun 3, 2024.

The Full Inspection History

4 inspections

Canvass

Nov 4, 2026

Pass

4 recorded violations

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official Wording

Food properly labeled; original container

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED FOOD STORED IN CONTAINERS IN ALL THE COOLERS, WALK IN COOLER AND DRY STORAGE WITHOUT PROPER LABELING OF NAME. INSTRUCTED TO PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE A LABEL REFLECTING THE FOOD ITEM'S NAME WHEN FOOD HAS BEEN REMOVE FROM ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

In Plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 38Pests

Official Wording

Insects, rodents, & animals not present

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED A 1/4" GAP AT THE TOP OF THE REAR EXIT DOOR. MUST PROVIDE A TIGHT-FITTING SEAL AT ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF PESTS.

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 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Non-food/food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS AND ICE BUILDUP ON THE INTERIOR OF DEEP FREEZERS. MUST REMOVE EXCESS ICE, DETAIL 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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED MISSING AND DAMAGED FLOOR TILES AND FLOOR SEPARATING FROM WALL IN REAR HOT PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.

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, Nov 4, 2026 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 30, 2025

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 10Handwashing

Official Wording

ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGN IN EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.

In Plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official Wording

PERSONAL CLEANLINESS

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED EMPLOYEES IN REAR FOOD PREP AREA WITHOUT HAIR RESTRAINTS. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR HAIR RESTRAINTS WHILE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA.

In Plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 30, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Jun 6, 2024

Pass w/ Conditions

7 recorded violations

notedCode 21Food temperature

Official Wording

PROPER HOT HOLDING TEMPERATURES

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED COOKED PORK 97.3F-117.6F, COOKED CHICKEN 105.3F-112.3F AND COOKED VEGETABLES 86.4F-100.4F STORED AT IMPROPER TEMPERATURE IN HOT HOLDING UNIT. ALL HOT TCS FOOD MUST MAINTAIN 135F OR ABOVE DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION, DISPLAY AND SERVICE. PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED 7-38-005

In Plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

notedCode 23Food source and labeling

Official Wording

PROPER DATE MARKING AND DISPOSITION

Inspector’s Notes

FOUND READY TO EAT TCS FOODS IN REFRIGERATOR AND 2 DOOR COOLERS NOT DATE MARKED. INSTRUCTED THE PERSON IN CHARGE THAT ALL READY TO EAT TCS FOODS HELD FOR 24 HOURS MUST BE PROPERLY DATE MARKED WITH THE DATE THE FOOD WILL BE SOLD, DISCARDED OR CONSUMED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005.

In Plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 37Food source and labeling

Official Wording

FOOD PROPERLY LABELED; ORIGINAL CONTAINER

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED ITEMS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS WITHOUT LABELS CONTAINING THE PRODUCT NAME. INSTRUCTED TO LABEL ALL FOODS AND SPICES WITH COMMON NAME THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORIGINAL CONTAINERS.

In Plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

notedCode 47Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

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

Inspector’s Notes

NOTED ASSORTED FOOD ITEMS INSIDE COOLERS AND REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH FOOD STORED INSIDE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. INSTRUCTED TO PROPERLY STORE ALL FOOD ITEMS INSIDE APPROVED FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS

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

DETAIL CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE CHEST FREEZERS, STOVE, DEEP FRYER, STORAGE SHELVES, GREASE TRAP, GRILLS, PREP TABLES AND WOK STATIONS.

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 55Cleaning and sanitizing

Official Wording

PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.

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 58Permits, training, and postings

Official Wording

ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

Inspector’s Notes

OBSERVED NO ALLERGEN TRAINING ON SITE AT TIME OF INSPECTION. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES HOLDING CITY OF CHICAGO FOODSERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATES MUST COMPLETE ALLERGEN TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.

In Plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Jun 6, 2024 · Original Source

Non-Inspection