Inspection Report

Business Name
Los Favoritos Taco Shop

Business Address
5351 S POWER RD MESA AZ 85212

Permit Number
FD-59513

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/6/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
4

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 6

Description: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

Comments:

2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Addl Notes: Employee drinks and food (doughnuts) were found in the prep area and walk-in cooler. To ensure food safety, prevent physical contamination and the transmission of disease; employee eating, drinking, beverage storage, and using tobacco must be done in an approved area. : PIC moved employee consumables to the designated area and will retrain on proper eating, drinking, and tobacco use. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

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: Cooked potatoes were observed in the side cooler at 82F. Potatoes had been cooling from the previous day. Food was embargoed. Reviewed cooling procedures. All TCS foods improperly cooled were discarded by PIC at time of inspection. : 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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: The front sandwich cooler was observed holding pico de gallo, guacamole (with tomatoes), cooked potatoes, raw chorizo, tacos, and macha beef at 47-54F. Per the employee, food had been in this cooler for less than 2 hours. The manager was instructed to move food to the walk-in cooler and that this cooler could only be used once it was serviced and holding below 41F or ice baths were set up. All TCS foods improperly cold held were relocated to alternative functioning refrigeration unit to rapidly cool to 41°F at time of inspection. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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: A small container of pepto bismol was observed above the prep table. Reviewed employee illness policy. Per the manager, this medication was for heartburn. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Repeat Violation

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

Comments:

Repeat violation

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: Front sandwich cooler was observed holding at 47F per min/max thermometer. TCS foods were being held above 41F. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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: Potatoes cooked today were observed cooling at room temperature in a deep container at 107F. Food was moved to the walk in cooler. : 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. All TCS foods being cooled in deep containers were transferred to shallow containers to allow for rapid cooling. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 41

Description: Wiping Cloths; Properly Used and Stored

Comments:

3-304.14 - Core: Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Addl Notes: The wiping cloth bucket below the 3-compartment sink had a concentration of 25ppm chlorine sanitizer. Wiping cloth was observed sitting outside of the sanitizer on the cutting board on the cook's line. All wet wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations. Wiping cloths were placed in sanitizer buckets with approved sanitizer concentrations at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 43

Description: In-Use Utensils; Properly Stored

Comments:

3-304.12 - Core: In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage Addl Notes: Knives were observed being stored between the back of the prep table and the wall. In-use utensils must be stored in a clean, dry location; in running water; or in hot water above 135°F. If utensils are stored in food, the handles must be stored above the surface of the food. All in-use utensils were properly stored at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-202.13 - Priority: Backflow Prevention, Air Gap

Addl Notes: The spray arm at the 3-compartment sink was observed hanging below the flood rim of the sink. Spray arm must hang a minimum of one inch above the rim of the sink. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection on 9/9/24.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Reviewed employee illness policy and emailed FDA form 1-B in English and Spanish. Emailed handout for fecal and vomit clean-up procedures and the new owner packet. A re-inspection has been scheduled for 9/9/24.

"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.