Inspection Report

Business Name
Santa Madre Taco Shop
Business Address
1320 W ELLIOT RD TEMPE AZ 85284
Permit Number
FD-32022
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
9/6/2024
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
0
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

7-102.11 - Priority Foundation: Common Name-Working Containers Addl Notes: Observed several spray bottles without labels hanging on the shelf storing cutting boards. Discussed with PIC that all chemicals must be labeled with common name and stored away from food, utensils, and single service items at all times to prevent contamination. All chemicals were labeled and relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

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

Comments:

3-501.15 (A) - Priority Foundation: Cooling Methods. 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: Observed at the salsa bar with a sneeze guard to have several TCS items at a temperature of 46*F to 49*F. Per PIC the items were prepped and then placed in the 1 hour prior to inspection. Discussed with PIC all TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Cooling TCS items shall not occur in the salsa bar, but in a reach-in refrigerator or freezer and once down to 41*F shall be placed in the salsa bar. Also discussed to use metal containers to help with more rapid temperature changes. PIC swapped out TCS items to rapidly cool and replaced with TCS items that were at 41*F or less. The TCS items were: cut cabbage, red and green salsa, pico de gallo, roasted peppers and a cream sauce. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed with PIC that single use containers from food products shall not be washed and reused.

"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.