Inspection Report

Business Name
Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Business Address
8707 S PRIEST DR TEMPE AZ 85284

Permit Number
FD-90988

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
10/29/2024

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
1

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: Observed no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) in facility at time of inspection. Discussed with Person in Chage a CFPM is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. 2nd Consecutive Violation

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-204.11 - Priority: Sanitizers, Criteria-Chemicals

Addl Notes: Observed Quaternary Ammonium Sanitizer in the three compartment sink above 500ppm. Discussed with PIC the approved sanitizer level is between 150ppm and 400ppm. PIC emptied sink and created a new batch within the approved sanitizer levels. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 47

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

Comments:

4-202.15 - Core: Can Openers Addl Notes: Observed a dull and deeply gouged blade on the commercial can opener with small metal shavings around the blade and gear. Discussed with PIC to sharpen/ fix/replace blade to avoid contamination of metal shavings into the food. PIC took the can opener to clean and to keep from being used until the issue has been corrected. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 51

Description: Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices

Comments:

5-205.15 (B) - Core: System Maintained in Good Repair; Maintained Addl Notes: Observed a missing 1-inch air gap of the drainage pipes at the floor sink under the three-compartment sink. The drainage pipes are connected to the hand wash sink, three compartment sink, and ice machine. Discussed with PIC to include a 1-inch air gap of drainage pipes to the floor sink to avoid back syphoning any contaminants. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed buildup of dust and dark black and brown organic matter and missing or separated caulking at the hand wash sink at the entrance of the prep area, along the cord casing on the tiled wall above the blender station and at the three compartment sink. Discussed with PIC to clean at a frequency to avoid accumulation of dust and organic matter and to seal fixed equipment that is not easily moveable to properly clean with caulking to create a smooth and cleanable surface. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed with PIC date-marking shall be the day the TCS item was open/cooked counts as day 1 and +6 to create a total of 7 days to sell or discard.

"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.