Inspection Report

Business Name
Life Cafe I

Business Address
1616 W RUBY DR TEMPE AZ 85284

Permit Number
FD-07096

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
6/12/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 8

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.12 - Priority: Cleaning Procedure. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing.

Addl Notes: Observed employee wash hands for 5 to 7 seconds. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing procedures with the person-in-charge (PIC). Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with approved drying provision, and turn off in a manner to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens and contamination. Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-703.11 - Priority: Hot Water and Chemical-Methods; Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces.

Addl Notes: Observed employee washing knife in the three compartments sink with soap, rinse and a scrubber dipped into sanitizer along the blade for approximately 5 seconds. Employee then took knife to be dried with a towel from a clean linen bag stored on the ground. Discussed with PIC food-contact surfaces sanitized using quaternary ammonia must be submerged and sanitized with a contact time according to manufacturer's specifications of 1 minute. Food-contact surfaces were properly sanitized at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Observed a knife stored between food containers and metal holding rail in the prep top of the prep table. Also observed a dirty knife stored away as clean in the knife holder to the left of the prep table. Discussed with PIC all utensils shall be stored away clean to sight and touch and storing the knife or any utensil between equipment parts will contaminate the cutting food contact surface. PIC took knives to the dish area to be properly washed. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Any substance(s) added to food must be GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) and/or used consistent with all legal requirements. The permit holder is responsible for ensuring that their menu items comply. Education was provided on the addition of food additives and dietary supplements during the inspection. For additional information, please refer to the ADHS Kava and Other Dietary Supplement Products Letter at https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/food-safety-environmental-services/index.php.

>>>Of Note: Labels from commissary have some items missing ingredients, some items made at the commissary has the LTF address instead of the commissary address where the item was made and the date markings on the labels are for a total of 8 days. Discussed with PIC RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). Also discussed with PIC to inform commissary that all labeling shall contain 1) Name of Product; 2) Processor Name; 3) Processor Address or Phone Number; 4) Ingredients; 5) Approximate Weight; 6) In English.

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation: Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation: Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation: Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program: All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.

Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
Violation Category	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade D	Grade D
Priority	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	more than 2	more than 3
Priority Foundation	0	1	2	3	4	0	1	2	5	3	4	0	1	2	more than 3	more than 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.