Inspection Report

Business Name
Sushiko

Business Address
9301 E SHEA BLVD SCOTTSDALE AZ 85258

Permit Number
FD-78101

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/12/2026

Grade
C

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

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: ***SIXTH Consecutive Violation*** The person in charge (PIC) is not a certified food protection manager. Ensure the PIC on site is an ANSI-certified food protection manager and maintain the certificate available for review. (A) The PERSON IN CHARGE shall be a certified FOOD protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 10

Description: Adequate Handwashing Sinks, Properly Supplied and Accessible

Comments:

5-205.11 - Priority Foundation: Using a Handwashing Sink-Operation and Maintenance. 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: At bar handwashing sink, sanitizer bucket stored in basin of sink. Sanitizer bucket was removed from sink basin. Maintain all handwashing sinks available for use at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: On cook line, sitting on counter, cooked rice with an internal temperature of 89*F. Per employee, rice was prepared and maintained at room temperature <2 hours for use as fried rice. No time as a public health control is used for cook line cooked rice. Instructed employee to reheat rice to 165*F and maintain hot at appropriate temperature. Maintain TCS (time/ temperature control for food safety) foods at a hot holding temperature of 135*F or higher 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: In expo area, in glass front reach in refrigerator, cream cheese/ 55*F and cooked fish/54*F out of internal temperatures. Per employee, cream cheese and cooked fish were placed in refrigerator <4 hours. Cream cheese and cooked fish were moved to walk in cooler to rapidly cool back own to proper temperature. Ambient temperature of glass front reach in refrigerator was 48*F, taken with inspector min/max irreversible thermometer. Employee adjusted thermostat and ambient temperature of refrigerator dropped several degrees by end of inspection. Monitor ambient temperature to ensure proper cold holding temperatures of TCS foods. Maintain TCS (time/ temperature control for food safety) foods at a cold holding temperature of 41*F or less at all times. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 35

Repeat Violation

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: ***SECOND Consecutive Violation*** On sushi line, frozen fish thawing at room temperature. Employee moved plate of thawing fish to reach in cooler to continue the thawing process. All foods being thawed from frozen are to be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

Repeat Violation

Description: Food and Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Cleanable, Properly Designed, Constructed and Used

Comments:

4-501.12 - Core: Cutting Surfaces Addl Notes: ***SECOND Consecutive Violation*** Throughout establishment, on cook line, in bar, at sushi line, cutting boards deeply scored. Resurface or replace. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Cutting surfaces such as cutting boards and blocks that become scratched and scored may be difficult to clean and sanitize. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms transmissible through food may build up or accumulate. These microorganisms may be transferred to foods that are prepared on such surfaces. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 56

Repeat Violation

Description: Adequate Ventilation and Lighting; Designated Areas Used

Comments:

6-202.11 - Core: Light Bulbs, Protective Shielding Addl Notes: ***THIRD Consecutive Violation*** Unshielded light bulb in walk-in cooler. Provide shatterproof bulb or protective covering as needed. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Reviewed with employees: no dumping of mop water outside. Mop water is to be dumped inside at approved mop sink.

Ensure all employees working with food obtain food worker certification from ANSI certified online site.

"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.