Inspection Report

Business Name
Snowfox

Business Address
1835 E GUADALUPE RD TEMPE AZ 85283

Permit Number
FD-71378

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/4/2025

Grade
B

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

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 small unit with an internal ambient temperature of 55*F measured with a min/max thermometer. Several TCS items were stored in the unit and had internal temperatures of 50*F to 57*F measured with a probing thermometer. Per person in charge (PIC) the TCS items in the unit for more than 4 hours were cooked rice, cut cabbage, open sauces labeled refrigerate after opening: orange sauce, ponzu sauce and teriyaki sauce. Embargoed the TCS items and PIC discarded at time of inspection. Discussed with PIC 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. PIC was able to provide a work order showing the unit has requested maintenance and is waiting on a part to fix the unit. Discussed to use other adequate refrigeration until unit can maintain foods 41*F or less. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: Observed in walk-in refrigerator frozen raw ahi and raw salmon that was thawing while in reduced oxygen packaging (ROP). Also observed thawed ahi in ROP on the sushi making line refrigerator. Discussed with PIC all ROP fish labeled "Keep Frozen" must be removed completely from reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) prior to thawing under refrigeration or immediately after thawing under cold running water. All ROP fish was removed from ROP packaging at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Variance documenting has changed from paper to electronic app. PIC was able to provide required variance information via phone app and screen shots, not all employees had access to electronic documents. Discussed may lead to violations in the future as documentation for critical control points in approved variance/HACCP must be completed, available for review, and retained as required by approved variance/HACCP plan.

"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.