Inspection Report

Business Name
CHUTNEYS INDIAN EXPRESS

Business Address
925 E APACHE BLVD TEMPE AZ 85281

Permit Number
FD-80014

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/27/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
0

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

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 (PIC) indicated there was no Certified Food Protection Manager onsite at time of inspection. Establishment was open and operating. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine 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 deep 15-20 quart bucket of sauce containing cooked tomatoes with an internal temperature between 47*F-55*F in walk-in refrigerator. Per person in charge (PIC), sauce was prepped and placed in walk-in refrigerator approximately 3 hours prior. PIC transferred curry to shallow pans to rapidly cool to 41*F at time of inspection. Also observed cooked chicken on a sheet pan on back prep table cooling at 97*F-120*F. Per PIC, chicken had been removed from cooking equipment and placed on sheet pan an hour prior. PIC placed sheet pan of cooked chicken in walk-in refrigerator at time of inspection. TCS foods must be cooled in: uncovered/loosely covered, shallow containers less than 4 inches deep, in equipment designed to rapidly cool, by using an ice bath, by using ice as an ingredient, or another effective means. Discussed with PIC not leaving TCS items on prep tables for extended periods of time once removed from cooking equipment. Also discussed monitoring temperatures of TCS items to ensure proper cooling. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 39

Description: Contamination Prevented during Food Preparation, Storage and Display

Comments:

3-305.11 - Core: Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises Addl Notes: Observed open bucket of uncooked rice and packaged raw chicken stored in a bucket located on floor directly underneath main handsink in kitchen. Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises. PIC sanitized bottom of buckets with a wiping cloth and placed buckets on top of prep table at time of inspection. 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:

4-101.11 (B-E) - Core: Characteristics- Multiuse; Durable, Nonabsorbent, Smooth, Easily Cleanable Addl Notes: Observed the establishment storing food in old retail containers that previously held garlic/yogurt in them. The PIC was informed these containers are not meant to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized multiple times and thus may not be adequately cleaned between uses. Discussed replacing these containers with NSF or NSF equivalent storage container meant to be reused. Owner has slowly started phasing containers out and is in the process of purchasing NSF approved containers. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 3RD CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Report emailed. **Discussed proper thawing (under refrigeration, cold running water, or as part of cooking process).

"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.