Inspection Report

Business Name
The Taco Spot

Business Address
2235 S POWER RD MESA AZ 85209

Permit Number
FD-33281

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
12/10/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 1

Description: Person in Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, and Performs Duties

Comments:

2-103.11 (A-N) and (P) - Priority Foundation: Person-In-Charge-Duties; Performs Assigned Duties Addl Notes: Owner was not present at beginning of inspection and did not have a designated PIC at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: A person-in-charge is required onsite at all times, must demonstrate adequate knowledge, and perform all duties as required.

2-102.11(A-B) and (C)(1), (4)-(16) - Priority Foundation: Demonstration; Demonstration of Knowledge Addl Notes: No certified food manager card was available at the time of inspection and PIC was unable to demonstrate knowledge relating to prevention of foodborne illness at the time of inspection. Discussed requirements for certified food managers and food handlers cards. Must obtain within 90 days. Predefined Comment: A person-in-charge is required onsite at all times, must demonstrate adequate knowledge, and perform all duties as required.

Violation #: 2

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: Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. No certified protection manager card or food handlers cards were available at time of inspection for all employees present at time of inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. 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/4573/AMC-Toolbox: Handwashing. Addl Notes: Observed broken soap dispenser unable to dispense soap at handwashing sink in front area of establishment. PIC replaced dispenser at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing.

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 raw chicken stored on counter with an internal temperature of 72*F. According to PIC, time chicken had been left out could not be determined and was instructed to discard at time of inspection. Salsa stored in beverage cooler had an internal temperature of 60*f. It was determined that salsa is given to customers throughout the day, causing a rise in temperature. Discussed using time as a control as a policy to ensure food safety. Predefined Comment: 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.

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 several TCS foods like, refried beans, opened bags of rice and consommé without any dates in walk-in cooler. PIC date marked items at time of inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.18 - Priority: Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Disposition. 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 refried beans stored in walk-in cooler with a date of 11.24 (10 days past discard date). Predefined Comment: All RTE/TCS foods past 7 days of preparation were discarded by PIC at the time of inspection. Predefined Comment: 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).

Violation #: 28

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

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-207.11 (B) - Priority: Restriction and Storage-Medicine; Storage & labeling

Addl Notes: Observed bottle of ibuprofen stored in dry storage area above salt. Predefined Comment: All medicines must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items to prevent contamination. All medicines were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection.

7-101.11 - Priority Foundation: Identifying Information, Prominence-Original Containers Addl Notes: Observed several chemical bottles without any identifying label. PIC was instructed to label chemical bottles at time of inspection and did so at time.

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 cooked Adobada meat stored in reach-in drawers with an internal temperature of 57-66*F. According to PIC, meat had been cooling for 2 hours and were instructed to move to walk-in cooler to rapidly chill. Predefined Comment: 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.

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

3-305.11 - Core: Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises Addl Notes: Observed box of raw beef stored directly on floor in walk-in cooler. Predefined Comment: Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises. Items were re-arranged at time of inspection.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-403.11 - Core: Designated Areas-Employee Accommodations for Eating/Drinking/Smoking Addl Notes: Observed several personal employee beverages stored throughout the establishment. Please designate area for personal items and beverages to be stored.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Offered training inspection to operator and will let inspector know what date works best. Provided cooling method handouts, cooling logs, cold holding logs, date marking guidance documents.

"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.