Inspection Report

Business Name
Carniceria Ponderosa

Business Address
2340 E UNION HILLS DR PHOENIX AZ 85024

Permit Number
FD-75542

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
3/27/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
4

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

Violations

Violation #: 1

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

Comments:

2-102.11(A-B) and (C)(1), (4)-(16) - Priority Foundation: Demonstration; Demonstration of Knowledge Addl Notes: No certified food manager onsite, staff could not answer food safety questions, and multiple priority violations were observed during inspection. Predefined Comment: A person-in-charge is required onsite at all times, must demonstrate adequate knowledge, and perform all duties as required. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 2

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

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: Person in charge could not provide certificate for certified food manager certification at time of inspection. The person in charge must be a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

6-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Handwashing Cleanser, Availability. 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: No handsoap available at main handwashing sink in back shared kitchen and meat market area. Person in charge provided soap from retail area. Predefined Comment: PIC provided soap for handwash sink at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Handwash sinks must be supplied with hot water of at least 100°F, soap and an approved hand drying provision at all times. Facilities must be maintained in a condition that promotes handwashing. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 13

Description: Food in Good Condition, Safe and Unadulterated

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-101.11 - Priority: Safe, Unadulterated and Honestly Presented. 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/4619/AMC-Toolbox---Approved-Source.

Addl Notes: Lettuce heads in walk-in refrigerator found with brown liquid and heavily withered. Person in charge discarded lettuce. Predefined Comment: All food must be in good condition, safe, and unadulterated. All adulterated food was discarded at time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-702.11 - Priority: Cleaned and Sanitized Before Use After Cleaning. 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 kitchen employee wash and rinse pot with sprayer but not sanitize then place pot to be used as clean. Discussed washing, rinse, and sanitizing. Employee instructed staff to set up sink and properly wash, rinse, and sanitize pot. Predefined Comment: Food-contact surfaces must be properly sanitized after washing and rinsing. 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: Observed cooked green salsa in large pot in walk-in cooler at 69 to 70 deg F, per employee salsa was cooked and placed for cooling the night before. Person in charge discarded salsa. 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. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 25

Description: Consumer Advisory Provided for Raw or Undercooked Food

Comments:

3-603.11 - Priority Foundation: Consumption of Animal Foods that are Raw, Undercooked, or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens. 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/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources. Addl Notes: Raw ceviche served for sale, but no consumer advisory available at an points of sale in reach-in or food area. Predefined Comment: Offering and serving undercooked proteins requires an approved consumer advisory at all points of sale; and must contain an approved disclosure method and reminder statement. Predefined Comment: Must provide approved consumer advisory at all points of sale prior to re-inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-5-203.14 - Priority: Backflow Prevention Device, When Required

Addl Notes: Observed long hose with attached spray nozzle in-use without proper back flow prevention on mop sink faucet (mop faucet has broken AVB). Employee removed hose and will only use sink faucet without hose or nozzle. Discussed ensuring proper backflow is installed if spray hose will be used. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Provided time as a control procedures and logs for chicharrones as well as backflow prevention requirements for using hose with spray nozzle.

"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.