Inspection Report

Business Name
Federico's Mexican Food

Business Address
16995 W GREENWAY RD SURPRISE AZ 85388

Permit Number
FD-25515

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
3/9/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

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: No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) available at time of inspection. Please obtain additional CFPMs to provide coverage when the unit is in operation prior to next routine inspection. PIC was able to prove knowledge of basic food handling practices. You can find a list of accredited certification providers one our website at https://www.maricopa.gov/631/Environmental-Services ***2nd consecutive violation*** Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.14 - Priority: Cooling. 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 3:00 PM,- Cooked salsa found in walk-in inside of a 5-gallon bucket cooling with an internal temperature of 65-82*F with the warmest temperatures being towards the center. Temperatures verified with inspector's calibrated probe thermometer. PIC stated the salsa was made this morning and began cooling sometime during the morning shift which ends at 8:00 AM. PIC discarded the salsa. Discussed cooling methods with PIC. Please ensure cooling TCS food items meet required time frames and temperatures. Predefined Comment: All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Cooked TCS foods must be cooled from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, and from 70°F to 41°F within 4 hours for a total of 6 hours for cooling. 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: Salsa cold holding in salsa cooler on front counter found with internal temperature of 46-52*F. PIC stated the salsa may have been left on the counter for a bit before being placed in the cooler. The salsa were brought out for the walk-in about 1 hour ago according to PIC. PIC moved the salsa back to the walk-in for cooling and continued cold holding. PIC will monitor the salsa cooler and ensure it is able to maintain an ambient temperature of 41*F or below if it is to be used for cold holding TCS food items. Discussed possible use of time as a control for salsa bar. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed ware washing practices (wash, rinse, sanitize), best cooling methods, sanitizer test strip expiration dates, and sanitizer bucket storage areas. Work order in place for damaged coved base tiles near walk-in, behind 3 compartment sink, and handles for reach-ins.

"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.