Inspection Report

Business Name
AJ's Fine Foods

Business Address
23251 N PIMA RD SCOTTSDALE AZ 85255

Permit Number
FD-84846

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Retail Food

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/30/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Cutting Edge Cutting Edge Participant

Violations

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: On sales floor cut fruit cold case, store packaged cut watermelon with internal temperatures of 47*F. Per employees, watermelon was cut the previous day. Packaged cut watermelon was discarded. See embargo form. Other cut fruit in case was <41*F. Discussed proper cooling methods with employees. Recommended cooling all TCS cut melons in walk in cooler to <41*F before sealing packages and moving to sales floor. (B) TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD shall be cooled within 4 hours to 5*C (41*F) or less if prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature, such as reconstituted FOODS and canned tuna. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.

After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the priority violation #20 was training staff (verification breakdown), which resulted in the violation.
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.