Inspection Report

Business Name
China Buffet

Business Address
17119 N LITCHFIELD RD SURPRISE AZ 85374

Permit Number
FD-18411

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
12/3/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 16

Repeat Violation

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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 an in-use ice machine with black, slimy, organic-like material growing behind the deflector panel. Per PIC ice from the machine is used in customer drinks. Educated PIC that ice is considered a food item when used in customer drinks. Instructed PIC in clean-in-place procedure using a hot soapy rinse, hot water rinse, and hot water plus sanitizer rinse. Second consecutive violation. Correct by next routine inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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 a chlorine mechanical warewashing machine washing plates. A chlorine test strip was used to test the concentration of chlorine at food contact site. Test strip registered no color change, below the standard of 50ppm for chlorine sanitization. Min/Max thermometer was run through the machine to test for high temp sanitation. Min/Max thermometer registered a temp of 150*F. Informed PIC that all chlorine machines need to register a concentration of 50ppm on the surface of any ware sent through the machine. PIC contacted their maintenance who dispatched an operator to work on the machine at time of inspection. PIC will begin regularly testing the concentration of the machine to maintain awareness of chlorine levels. Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. 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/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: Observed TCS food items in sushi bar prep-cooler with an internal temperature of 51*F. Internal temperature registered with internal probe thermometer. TCS food items included cream cheese. Per PIC cream cheese had been in unit since opening greater than 4hrs at time of inspection. PIC stated they had left the lid open since opening. Educated PIC on cold holding discipline. All TCS foods improperly cold held were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below. Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

3-501.19 (A1, B2, C2-3) - Priority Foundation: Time as a Public Health Control; Documentation. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: Observed TCS food being held under Time as a Control without logs supporting when food was placed on line. When asked for their daily logs, PIC stated they did not have any logs for today's food. PIC showed logs, most recent was dated for September. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Must provide written time as a control procedures prior to re-inspection. Correct prior to re-inspection on 12/13/24.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.19 (B1,3-4; C1,4-5) - Priority: Time as a Public Health Control; Temperature, Discarded. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources.

Addl Notes: -Observed TCS food items being held under Time as a Control along buffet line. Per PIC they were unsure when some food was placed on line and could not provide logs as to when they were placed on line. Temperatures taken of TCS food items along line with internal probe thermometer registered 90-135*F. Observed tray of teriyaki chicken with an internal temperature of 68*F. Per PIC they stated the chicken was likely placed on line at opening greater than 4hrs prior to time of inspection. PIC discarded chicken at time of inspection. Time as a Public Health Control requires written procedures detailing process for Time as a Public Health Control and time-stamping for items actively held under Time as a Public Health Control. Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will 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.