Inspection Report

Business Name
Pho Noodles AZ

Business Address
2160 E Baseline RD Phoenix AZ 85042

Permit Number
FD2500753

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/14/2025

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: Observed no Certified Food Manager (CFM) onsite at time of inspection. Person in charge (PIC) was unable to produce a valid certified food protection manager certificate. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation. Provide a CFPM onsite by next routine inspection. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces. Addl Notes: Observed two magnetic strips being used to store several knives and a pair of scissors with dried food debris on the food-contact surfaces. Also observed dried food debris on the food contact surfaces of the deli slicer stored as clean. All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned to sight and touch. PIC relocated all food-contact surfaces to warewashing area to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at the time of inspection. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 29

Description: Compliance with Variance, Specialized Process, Reduced Oxygen Packaging Criteria or HACCP plan

Comments:

3-502.11 - Priority Foundation: Variance Requirement. 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/3978/Food-Variances. Addl Notes: Observed establishment doing hot pickling, involving heating/cooking vinegar and adding carrots, radishes, daikon, and cabbage to the vinegar solution. PIC has been using pH test strips to verify the pickled vegetables were at a pH below 4.5. Per PIC the pickled vegetables were prepared in the evening (less than 24 hours) one day prior to inspection. Discussed the importance of obtaining approval by applying for a variance through Maricopa County prior to conducting any specialized process to extend the shelf life of any food products. PIC stated that they will do cold pickling moving forward. PIC date-marked the cooked pickled vegetables at time of inspection. A variance/HACCP must be obtained prior to conducting any specialized processes. Variance/HACCP applications are available through the customer portal "Permit Center" at https://maricopacountyaz-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home. Additional resources can be found at https://www.maricopa.gov/3978/Food-Variances. 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 frozen meats being stored beneath the bottom shelf of the metal racks in the freezer. Discussed proper food storage with PIC. Also observed cabbage in the cooling process with a tupperware of noodles and a to-go container of tofu placed directly inside and touching the cabbage. Discussed proper food storage with PIC. Ensure TCS/RTE food are not in contact with single-service articles or to-go containers at all times. Food must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground at all times to prevent contamination from the premises. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Of Note: Discussed storage of in-use utensils with PIC.

"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.