Inspection Report

Business Name
Kuka Sushi & Izakaya
Business Address
1221 E APACHE BLVD TEMPE AZ 85281
Permit Number
FD-66492
Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection
Inspection Date
9/9/2024
Grade
B
Priority Violation
1
Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-302.11 (A1-2) - Priority: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; Protection from Cross Contamination. 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/4621/AMC-Toolbox---Cross-Contamination.

Addl Notes: Observed pan of raw beef above cooked miso soup in the walk-in refrigerator. Also observed the following on the speed rack in the walk-in refrigerator: pan of raw chicken stored above sheet pan of cooked pork and plastic wrapped pans of raw fish stored above cooked fish balls. All raw animal proteins must be stored below ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and stored according to cooking temperature at all times to prevent cross contamination. PIC properly stored all raw animal proteins according to the final cooking temperature based on the cooking parameters in § 3-401.11 of the Food Code. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

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 the following time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods with internal temperatures between 47*F - 52*F in the refrigerated sushi case: raw fish for sushi (salmon, yellowtail, tuna), seared fish, cooked octopus, and cooked egg. Person in charge indicated these foods had been prepped today (2.5 hours before inspection). The measured ambient temperature of the unit using a min/max thermometer was 40.1*F. Discussed fully cooling TCS foods to 41*F prior to putting them in the refrigerated sushi case because the case is not meant to cool foods and is opened and closed at a high frequency. These foods were moved to a larger refrigerator to cool more rapidly down to 41*F. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 48

Description: Warewashing Facilities, Installed, Maintained, Used, Test Strips

Comments:

4-501.14 - Core: Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency Addl Notes: Observed black grime on dishwasher baskets. Establishment must clean warewashing equipment at a frequency that precludes the buildup of food debris/grime/other organic and inorganic materials. Person in charge indicated they would deep clean baskets. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details


No County legal action will result from this inspection.
*Discussed when to wash hands (especially in warewashing area)

"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.