Inspection Report

Business Name
Picazzo's Organic Italian Kitchen
Business Address
440 W WARNER RD TEMPE AZ 85284
Permit Number
FD-33614
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
10/7/2025
Grade
Not Participating
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-602.11 (E) - Core: Equipment Food - Contact Surfaces and Utensils-Frequency; Non-TCS. 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 black organic matter buildup on the shoot of the ice machine and red organic matter on the blade of the industrial can opener. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) the industrial can opener blade and the ice machine shall be cleaned to sight and touch. The manager was taking the ice machine apart to clean and the industrial can opener at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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 the dish washing machine actively in use with 0ppm at time of inspection. PIC primed machine and was unable to obtain levels of 50ppm to 100ppm. PIC moved all dish washing to the three compartment sink. Discussed with PIC the importance of proper sanitizer levels and proper monitoring of sanitizer levels. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed with PIC 1) a minimum of 1 inch of air gap between the drainage pipe and floor sink. 2) cooling sauces with ice wands and ice baths shall be monitored and ice shall be replaced when melted. 3) caulking with organic matter shall be replaced to create a smooth and cleanable surface to prevent accumulation of organic matter.

"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.