Inspection Report

Business Name
EL Bigo Taco

Business Address
420 E SOUTHERN AVE MESA AZ 85210

Permit Number
FD-79860

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/4/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

Predefined Comment: A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation.

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: inquired regarding a certified food manager for the establishment. please obtain one certified food manager for the establishment resources on esd.maricopa.gov reviewed.

Violation #: 9

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

Comments:

Predefined Comment: RTE food that was contacted by bare hands was discarded by PIC 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.

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: at the time of facility inspection, observed food staff assembling, sandwiches/tacos, all with bare hands, handling rte food. asked the facility manager if they had a strategy to minimize bare hand contact. manager found food handler gloves. please ensure food worker staff minimize bare hand contact with rte food.

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

Predefined Comment: 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.

3-302.11 (A3-8) - Core: Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation; General Food Protection. 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 in the front upright kitchen cooler, noted pans of raw meats placed above open pan of cooked chicken. informed the kitchen staff. all raw meats relocated to a designated lower shelf. corrected

Violation #: 20

Description: Proper Cooling Time and Temperatures

Comments:

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.

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 pans of cooked chicken and churizo at 122-126 deg f inside the food cooler. per manager prepared in the morning and placed in the fridge. use of ice bath and shallow food pans reviewed. manager removed all deep pans and placed in shallow ice bath. corrected. department cooling guideline document reviewed and emailed to facility manager

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

Predefined Comment: 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.

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 in the cookline, cut tomatoes, and cut lettuce shredded lettuce pans at 51-54 deg f . also pans of cooked pork in the upright cooler at 48-51 deg f . suggested to utilize shallow food pans and keep reach-in cooler lids closed to ensure rte/tcs is maintained at 41 deg f . manager removed food.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: Due to the violations noted on this inspection report, County legal action may 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.