Inspection Report

Business Name
Ralph's Snack Bar #967

Business Address
4535 W VAN BUREN ST PHOENIX AZ 85043

Permit Number
MF-19-0186

Permit Type
Mobile Food Annual - MF Type 3

Inspection Purpose
Mobile Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
1/16/2025

Grade
D

Priority Violation
4

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-501.114 (A-E) - Priority: Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization- Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness. 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: Initial concentration of 25ppm Chlorine for Sanitizing compartment at 3-comp sink used for warewashing. Operator proceeded to add chlorine to reach adequate sanitizing concentration of 50-100ppm Chlorine. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 21

Description: Proper Hot Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(1) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot Holding. 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/4614/AMC-Toolbox---Hot-Holding.

Addl Notes: Internal temperature of 113*F for cooked chicken sitting in pan above other food pans in flat grill area. Operator stated that chicken was cooked less than 1hour ago and placed in pan for hot holding. Instructed operator to reheat chicken to 165*F and properly place in pan at hot holding unit on mobile food establishment. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. 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/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: Internal temperature of 70*F for cooked pasta salad in large pot stored at room temperature. Operator stated that pasta salad was made at least 1hour ago on mobile food establishment. Pasta salad shall be maintained at 41*F or below, operator was instructed to keep under refrigeration immediately after making pasta salad. Operator proceeded to place salad under refrigeration. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

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

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-201.11 - Priority: Separation-Storage

Addl Notes: Observed Fabuloso and Windex stored in milk crate with cups and lids single-use articles. Discontinue toxic chemicals next to cups and lids. Operator proceeded to move toxic chemicals. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 48

Description: Warewashing Facilities, Installed, Maintained, Used, Test Strips

Comments:

4-501.17 - Priority Foundation: Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Agents. 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 operator only rinse a used bowl for food items stored at the three compartment sink. Operator did not follow adequate warewashing procedures. Operator was instructed to properly setup 3-compartment sink with Wash, Rinse, and Sanitize compartments. Operator proceeded to properly wash used bowl. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 57

Description: MCEHC Mobile Food Requirements

Comments:

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 1(a)(4) - Mobile Food Type III is not operating as classified. Addl Notes: Observed table setup with various salsa, dressings and condiments at exterior of mobile food establishment. Ensure to keep all food items sored within the confines of mobile food establishment.

MCEHC Chap. 8, Sec. 3, Reg. 6d, 9d, 10e, 11d - Food preparation shall be simplified to reduce excessive steps where food may become contaminated. Excessive steps may include, but are not limited to, cooking overnight without oversight, cooling, or cutting large volumes of food items. This prohibition does not apply to foods that have been prepared or packaged in permanent food establishments or commissaries meeting the requirements of this code. Addl Notes: Observed operator binging out cooked mashed potatoes to be placed in ice chest at exterior of mobile food establishment. Operator was instructed to discontinue cooling at exterior of mobile food and all cooling shall be conducted at commissary. Operator proceeded to take mash potatoes back into mobile food establishment for hot holding. This was corrected at time of inspection.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

"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.