Inspection Report

Business Name
AJ's Fine Foods

Business Address
15031 N THOMPSON PEAK PKWY SCOTTSDALE AZ 85260

Permit Number
FD-85160

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Meat Market

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/14/2025

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Cutting Edge Cutting Edge Participant

Violations

Violation #: 8

Repeat Violation

Description: Hands Clean and Properly Washed

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-2-301.14 - Priority: When to Wash. 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: Second Consecutive Violation. At front meat counter, employee moved between raw meats to ready to eat meats without a proper handwash and employee moved between cold meat room and front meat counter, touching swinging door with gloved hands and handling food product without a proper handwash. Instructed employees on proper handwashing after contamination. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands are to be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 15

Description: Food Separated and Protected

Comments:

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: In walk in cooler, boxes of packaged raw pork sausage and raw turkey sausage stored over packaged raw beef. Employee moved boxes of packaged sausages to another shelf to prevent cross contamination. Discussed the importance of proper storage of different raw proteins based on cooked temperatures to prevent future cross contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 35

Description: Approved Thawing Methods Used

Comments:

3-501.13 - Core: Thawing Addl Notes: In cold meat cutting room (room was at 50-52*F), in prep sink, raw poultry thawing under dripping water. Employee moved packages of thawing poultry to a container, turned faucet on to allow thawing under running water. All foods being thawed from frozen must be thawed in an approved manner. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration (41*F or less), under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces Addl Notes: At front meat cases, doors and door tracks with accumulation of food residues. Maintain clean. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the violation was training staff (a verification breakdown), which resulted in the violation.

This establishment is enrolled in the Maricopa County Environmental Services Cutting Edge Program and is on the Cutting Edge of food safety.
Reviewed with manager: separation in meat case.

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.