Inspection Report

Business Name
Chens Chinese Food

Business Address
9303 E BASELINE RD MESA AZ 85209

Permit Number
FD-63161

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
11/6/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 9

Description: No Bare Hand Contact with RTE Foods or a Pre-Approved Alternate Properly Followed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-301.11(B) - Priority: Preventing Contamination from Hands. 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 employee grab green onions as garnish for wonton soup with bare hands. Employee was instructed to discard wonton soup at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Discussed the importance of preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat (RTE) foods with the person-in-charge (PIC). Bare hand contact is not approved with ready-to-eat (RTE) food items.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (F1-2) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- On-site Generation. 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 0 ppm of sanitizer dispensing from mechanical dish machine. After observation it was determined that the container that was thought to be sanitizer was actually rinse aid container. PIC changed out container to chlorine sanitizer and tested for 50 ppm of chlorine. Please test regularly to ensure proper levels are maintained at all times.

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 marinating in walk-in cooler with an internal temperature of 63*F. According to PIC, chicken was previously thawing under running water from a freezing state. Please monitor cold TCS foods to ensure they don't increase in temperature while in the prepping process.

Violation #: 37

Description: Food Properly Labeled; Original Container

Comments:

3-302.12 - Core: Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food Addl Notes: Observed several containers of different foods and seasonings without labels. Please provide labels to all food storage containers. Predefined Comment: All bulk food items not easily identifiable must be labeled with common name of food.

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Addl Notes: Observed area underneath lid of prep table, with accumulation of dried up food debris. Also observed several storage racks with build up of grease residue. Thick layer of dried up food debris was seen underneath door handle for food prep area. Please maintain all equipment and food and non-food contact surfaces on a regular cleaning schedule to prevent build up.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed floor drain for three compartment sink and mop sink draining slowly. Plumbers were on site at time of inspection making repairs to allow proper drainage. According to previous receipt of grease trap service, it was suggested they provide jetting services more frequently. PIC, stated grease trap is serviced every two months but could only provide receipts from 2023 and one from 10/31/2024. Discussed importance of maintenance to prevent further drainage issues.

Violation #: 56

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-303.11 - Core: Intensity-Lighting Addl Notes: Observed insufficient lighting in walk-in cooler making it difficult to see food. The light intensity shall be at least 108 lux (10 foot candles) at a distance of 75 cm (30 inches) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas and in other areas and rooms during periods of cleaning.

4-202.18 - Core: Ventilation Hood Systems, Filters Addl Notes: Observed filters above hood accumulated with heavy black grease residue. According to PIC, hood service is completed every three months by Blue Devil Hoods and is scheduled for November. Please maintain a regular cleaning schedule in between hood cleaning services.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: 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.