Inspection Report

Business Name
The Better Biscuit

Business Address
9542 E Riggs RD Sun Lakes AZ 85248

Permit Number
FD-24-01906

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
5/6/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

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 sausage links with an internal temperature range of 103F-110F stored in the steam table. Per PIC, the sausage links have been in the steam table for less than 1 hour prior to the inspection. All TCS foods improperly hot 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 135°F or above. Corrective Action: 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 ham, chorizo, pico de gallo, cut tomatoes, cut sausage links, and shredded pork with an internal temperature range of 48F-52F stored in the prep table across from the egg station. Per PIC, the ham, chorizo, pico de gallo, and cut tomatoes have been in the prep table for over 4 hours and was discarded by the PIC. The shredded pork and the cut sausage links were prepared today and was moved to the walk-in for rapid cooling. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 23

Description: Proper Date Marking and Disposition

Comments:

3-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking. 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 chili beans with a prepared date of 4/27, and mariana sauce with a prepared date of 4/26 stored in the walk-in cooler. Per PIC, the food items were pulled from the freezer on 5/2 and the date on label was the freezer date. Explained to PIC that when food items that are cooked and pulled from the freezer, that the food items need a new date mark. All RTE/TCS foods were properly date marked at the time of inspection. 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). Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling. Addl Notes: At time of inspection, observed prep table, across from the egg station, with a minimum ambient air temperature 44.2F, maintaining TCS foods above 41F at time of inspection. Equipment used for cold holding must be able to have the capacity to properly maintain all TCS food at 41F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below. The facility has other cold holding units for storage and for cooling TCS food to continue operating; no re-inspection required. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 38

Description: Insects, Rodents and Animals not Present

Comments:

6-202.15 - Core: Outer Openings, Protected Addl Notes: Observed window in the kitchen without a self-closing mechanism, air curtain, or screen was being left open. Advised PIC to install a screen in the window to prevent pests from entering the establishment if the owners would like the window open. PIC closed the window at time of inspection. Corrective Action: 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.