Inspection Report

Business Name
Federico's Mexican Food

Business Address
12100 N DYSART RD SURPRISE AZ 85379

Permit Number
FD-42444

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/13/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 1

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

Comments:

Person in charge without food manager certification and unable to demonstrate the following: thermometer usage, thermometer calibration, knowledge of proper cold holding temperatures, knowledge of cooling times and temperatures. Owner stated food manager certifications will be issued within 5 weeks. Educated person in charge on proper thermometer calibration, cold holding temperatures, and cooling times and temperatures.

2-102.11(A-B) and (C)(1), (4)-(16) - Priority Foundation: Demonstration; Demonstration of Knowledge Addl Notes: Corrective Action: Corrected 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.

Violation #: 2

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

Person in charge unable to produce food manager certification during inspection. Owner stated staff will be issued certifications within 5 weeks.

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: Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

Chile rellenos, with an internal temperature ranging 46-48*F. Person in charge stated the chile rellenos were cooked yesterday and were placed in an active state of cooling over 6 hours prior to inspection. Cooling process should be completed in a total of 6 hours. Foods should reach an internal temperature of 70*F or below within 2 hours of reaching 135*F and within 4 hours of reaching 70*F temperature should reach 41*F or below. Person in charge discarded of chile rellenos. Discussed cooling times and temperatures and cooling methods.

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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 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.

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

All foods on cold holding unit near grill, (shredded cheddar, shredded lettuce, pico, cut tomatoes, cooked beef, cooked chorizo, salsas, diced chicken, taquitos, diced ham, lengua, etc) with an internal temperature of 49-51*F. Person in charge mentioned they were unable to determine temperatures of taquitos and lengua from over 6 hours prior to inspection. Remaining foods had an internal temperature of 41*F within 2 hrs prior to inspection. All cold temperature controlled foods should be held at 41*F or below. Person in charge placed foods on ice bath. Foods reached an internal temperature of 41*F within 1hr and 15min. Recommended checking ambient temperature of units prior to use and periodically throughtout the day.

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: Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. 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 #: 33

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

Comments:

Cold holding unit near grill with an ambient temperature of 49*F. Refrigerators should be held at a temperature of 41*F to hold temperature-controlled foods. Employee mentioned they put in a service request and will be serviced tomorrow. Owner to provide work order invoice once completed. Re-Inspection to occur by 4/23/2023. No temperature controlled foods to be held in unit until unit can hold an ambient temperature of 41*F or below. All foods to be held on ice or in walk-in at 41*F.

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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: Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. Predefined Comment: Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Discussed establishment procedures regarding: usage of ice, equipment maintenance, temperature logs

"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.