Inspection Report

Business Name
The Lighthouse Tea Lounge
Business Address
1250 E APACHE BLVD TEMPE AZ 85281
Permit Number
FD-24-01012
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
6/26/2025
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

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 no approved sanitizer in establishment at time of inspection. Per person-in-charge (PIC), they ran out of sanitizer tabs and have not had time to purchase more. Observed ladles hanging on ice well. PIC states they were washed today with soap and water. Discussed the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. Employee purchased bottle of bleach at time of inspection. PIC set up three-compartment sanitizer sink with an approved chlorine concentration with inspector at time of inspection. Ladles were properly sanitized at time of inspection. PIC also purchased chlorine test strips at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 50

Description: Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure

Comments:

5-103.11 - Priority Foundation: Capacity-Quantity and Availability Addl Notes: Observed water temperature at three-compartment sink at 117*F maximum after adjusting water heater. Hot water of: 100°F is required at all handwash sinks; 110°F at all other sinks; 120°F at mechanical warewashing units sanitizing with chemicals; and 140°F at mechanical warewashing units sanitizing with high temperature. Provide hot and cold water under pressure at all sinks prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct within 24 hours.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Report emailed. **Discussed handwashing with PIC, ensuring hands are washed when changing tasks and at any time contamination occurs. **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. This establishment was found to be using Kratom or THC as a food ingredient. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is the agency responsible for regulating the use of Kratom and THC in food. You must contact ADHS to obtain information on requirements related to these products. 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.

"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.
A B B B B B B B C C C C C C D D
Priority 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 2 2 2 3
Priority Foundation 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 5 3 4 0 1 2 3 0

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