Inspection Report
West African Cuisine
7017 N 19th AVE Phoenix AZ 85021
FD-23-06402
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Food Routine Inspection
3/11/2025
D
3
Completed
Violations
Violation #: 2
Description: Certified Food Protection Manager
Comments:
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: Observed no certified food protection manager onsite at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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 #: 5
Description: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events
Comments:
2-501.11 - Priority Foundation: Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Events. 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 no bodily fluid clean up kit or written instructions for cleaning bodily fluids. Predefined Comment: Written procedures for clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events is required onsite at all times. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
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 food worker not utilizing proper hand wash procedures. Employee used the three compartment sink to momentarily dip hands in soap and water, then clean water to rinse, and then in santizer solution. Discussed with employee proper hand washing and to use the designated hand wash sink. 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. Predefined Comment: Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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 handling raw fish, then touch food containers in the reach in cooler, handle utensils and other items on the prep table, handle personal items such as purse and clothing, then return to work with raw fish, all without changing gloves or washing hands. Predefined Comment: Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands must be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Predefined Comment: Employee properly washed hands at handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 10
Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible
Comments:
6-301.12 - Priority Foundation: Hand Drying Provision. 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 no paper towels or other hand drying provision at the hand wash sink by the prep sink. Predefined Comment: 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. Predefined Comment: PIC provided hand drying provision for handwash sink at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
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 dishes and utensils stored inside the hand wash sink by the prep sink. The person in charge removed the items from the hand wash sink to the three compartment sink for warewashing at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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 #: 15
Description: Food Separated and Protected
Comments:
3-302.11 (A3-8) - Core: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; General Food Protection. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination. Addl Notes: Observed food containers of various cooked foods with no labels or date marks stored on multiple shelfs throughout the reach in cooler with open boxes of fresh vegetables stored on the bottom shelf of the reach in cooler. The person in charge stated the food containers were employee personal foods but that the fresh vegetables were for use by the establishment for food service. Discussed storage and separation of employee personal foods to protect from contamination. The person in charge moved all employee food to designated area away from food used for food service. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 21
Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures
Comments:
PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.
Addl Notes: Observed cooked rice with internal temperature between 47F -52F in a rice cooker that was plugged in but turned off. The person in charge stated the rice was cooked at 830am, 3.5 hours ago. The person in charge turned the rice cooker back on to reheat the rice to 165F or more. Predefined Comment: Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly hot held were reheated to 165°F at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 35
Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used
Comments:
3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed whole frozen fish thawing in standing water at ambient temperature. Predefined Comment: 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. The person in charged drained the standing water and turned on running water to continue thawing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.
Violation #: 47
Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used
Comments:
4-501.11 - Core: Good Repair and Proper Adjustment-Equipment Addl Notes: Observed hanging wires and fallen panels inside the reach in freezer. Predefined Comment: All equipment must be maintained in good repair at all times. Repair all equipment to a state of good repair prior to next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.
Comments/Details
Predefined Comment: 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.
| 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.