Inspection Report

Business Name
Mekong Plaza Grocery Store

Business Address
66 S DOBSON RD MESA AZ 85202

Permit Number
FD-13499

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Meat Market

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/22/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

*Fourth consecutive repeat violation*

2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Addl Notes: No CFPM onsite at the time of inspection. PIC stated that one employee obtained their certificate but is off on Wednesday. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 10

Repeat Violation

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

*Third consecutive repeat violation*

5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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 the hand sink next to the fish tanks used as a dump sink for leftover ice. Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. PIC will ensure establishment discontinues use of handwash sink for all activities that are not for handwashing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 14

Repeat Violation

Description: Required Records Available: Shellstock Tags, Parasite Destruction

Comments:

*Fifth consecutive repeat violation*

A re-inspection will take place on 1/31/2025 to ensure shellstock tags are

being maintained.

3-203.12 - Priority Foundation: Shellstock, Maintaining Identification. 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/4619/AMC-Toolbox---Approved-Source. Addl Notes: Observed shellstock tags not held in chronological order or with sale dates after 12/20/2024. Observed a stack of undated shellstock tags with no apparent order held on the wall behind the shellstock area with harvest dates observed after 12/20 and before today's date that the PIC stated had already been sold. Shellstock tags must be kept with shellstock until sold, dated with final sale date, and maintained in chronological order for 90 days onsite. PIC stated the appropriate mark would be added to all current shellstock at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed raw chicken feet and raw fish thawing in still water in various food prep sinks throughout the meat market. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

3-202.19 - Core: Shellstock, Condition Addl Notes: Observed 15+ dead shellstock including scallops and blood clams intermixed with live clams and scallops atop ice. Advised PIC to monitor shellstock to remove dead shells to prevent contamination of healthy shellstock. PIC discarded the dead clams and scallops at the time of inspection (see embargo). Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 40

Description: Personal Cleanliness

Comments:

2-304.11 - Core: Clean Condition-Outer Clothing Addl Notes: Observed multiple employees wear work aprons while going into the restroom without first removing. Discussed preventing contamination from employee’s clothes by removing clothes/equipment necessary in the food prep areas before entering the restroom or taking a break outdoors. PIC had the employees replace aprons with fresh aprons at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.12 - Core: Cutting Surfaces Addl Notes: Observed heavily scored and grooved plastic cutting boards. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Repair/replace cutting surfaces prior to the next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

4-202.11 - Priority Foundation: Food-Contact Surfaces-Cleanability. 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 milk crates and tote style shopping baskets used as food containers for raw fish. All food-contact surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable. Use of non-food grade bags is not approved for storage of open food items to prevent migration of deleterious substances. Discussed the shape of the containers may allow for foods to contact non-food contact surfaces such as shelving. Advised PIC to replace with food-grade containers intended for food storage. PIC had the foods in the crates and baskets moved to approved surfaces at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-205.15 (A) - Priority: System Maintained in Good Repair; According to Law

Addl Notes: Observed a slow drain servicing the fish tanks and back hand sinks. All plumbing must be maintained in good repair at all times. PIC was able to have the drain cleared at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

A re-inspection will take place on 1/31/2025 to ensure priority foundation violation #14 has been corrected.
Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may result from this inspection.

"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.