The cafeteria at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago had its license suspended Oct. 16 after a city health inspection found more than 200 live cockroaches in the kitchen, along with other violations, NBC affiliate WMAQ reported.
Inspectors with the Chicago Department of Public Health cited a cockroach infestation, finding cockroaches in several areas, including the main food preparation and grill area, deep fryer area and dry storage, according to the department’s inspection report cited by the news outlet. The report also documented black slime buildup in an ice machine and said violations from an April 15 inspection, including dead cockroaches, had not been corrected. Both the hospital’s cafeteria and patient kitchen failed the inspection, WMAQ reported.
“We recognize the importance of maintaining the highest standards for food safety and are taking the necessary steps to address the findings and meet all requirements to safely resume kitchen operations,” the hospital and Morrison Healthcare, its contracted food service provider, said in a joint statement shared with Becker’s. “In the meantime, patients continue to receive meals without interruption, with alternative food preparation and meal service arrangements in place.”
The cafeteria can request a new inspection once the violations are corrected, ABC affiliate WLS reported. As of Oct. 19, the hospital had not given a timeline for reopening. Advocate Illinois Masonic is part of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health.
Becker’s has reached out to the Chicago Department of Public Health and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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