Inspection Report

Business Name
Whole Foods Market

Business Address
4701 N 20th ST Phoenix AZ 85016

Permit Number
FD-32461

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/24/2025

Grade
D

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-702.11 - Priority: Cleaned and Sanitized Before Use After Cleaning. 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 employee rinsing off cutting boards used for spring rolls in the prep sink and racking them to air dry. Informed PIC that all food contact surfaces need to be sanitized after washing and rinsing. PIC moved the cutting boards to the ware washing room to be properly washed, rinsed, sanitized at time of inspection. Discussed that dish washing must occur at the three-compartment sink or the ware washing machine. Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-703.11 - Priority: Hot Water and Chemical-Methods; Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces. 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 dishes being actively washed in the high temperature ware washing machine. The water temperature for the sanitizing cycle reached 148.2*F, measured using min/max. Informed PIC that all food contact surfaces need to be washed in the three-compartment sink until the machine is reaching 160*F for the sanitizing cycle. PIC agreed to wash food contact surfaces in the three-compartment. The three-compartment sink was set-up at time of inspection. PIC put in a service order at time of inspection. When food-contact surfaces are being sanitized with hot water in a dish machine, the surface temperature must reach at least 160°F as measured by an irreversible registering temperature measuring device to destroy pathogens that may remain on such surfaces after cleaning. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 29

Description: Compliance with Variance, Specialized Process, Reduced Oxygen Packaging Criteria or HACCP plan

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-8-103.12 (A) - Priority: Conformance with Approved Procedures; Compliance with HACCP Plan. 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/3978/Food-Variances.

Addl Notes: Observed white and brown rice on the prep counter being used for rolls. These items were datemarked for 48 hours. The establishment has been approved to hold the rice for 36 hours. Discussed with PIC that the rice needs to be properly datemarked with the discard date and time, not to exceed 36 hours. Upon testing the white and brown rice, the pH was 4.3 for both. Informed PIC that the rice must have a pH of 4.2 or below. Instructed PIC to discard all white and brown rice. PIC discarded the rice a time of inspection. Rice was embargoed. All procedures in approved variance/HACCP plan must be conformed to at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

8-103.12 (B) - Priority Foundation: Conformance with Approved Procedures; HACCP records. 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/3978/Food-Variances. Addl Notes: Observed the pH of white and brown rice undocumented and the calibration of pH meter undocumented for the date of the inspection and the three days prior to inspection. Informed PIC that the pH must be tested and recorded every day. The last date recorded on log sheets was 9/20. PIC tested and recorded the pH for the rice being used today at time of inspection. Documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan. All procedures in approved variance/HACCP plan must be conformed to at all times. 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.