Maricopa County health inspectors cited eight metro Phoenix stores for several priority food safety violations during the week of Aug. 17. Violations included moldy jalapeños, expired rib sandwiches and multiple foods stored in broken coolers.
Maricopa County Environmental Services regulates grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations that sell prepared food under the same rules as restaurants and conducts routine inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.
A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to an increased risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.
During the week of Aug. 17, inspectors visited nearly 1,400 grocery
stores, restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Here's a look at the retail stores with the worst offenses across the Valley.
Lotus Market, Phoenix
Lotus Market, located at 18425 N. 19th Ave. in Phoenix, was cited for two priority violations.
- Jalapeños with white organic matter were found in the produce cooler and discarded.
- Yogurt, cheese and other dairy products were stored too warm inside a cooler. The inspector discussed with the store manager not exceeding the load limit.
Fry's Food Stores, Chandler and Tempe
Two Fry's stores, located at 1950 W. Ray Road in Chandler and at 1760 E. Elliot Road in Tempe, were cited for one priority violations each.
- Chandler location: A hose was connected directly to the mop sink faucet without proper protection to prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the water supply. The hose was disconnected.
- Tempe location: Milk in a beverage cooler was stored too warm. The milk was discarded, and the cooler was taken out of use until it can maintain a safe temperature.
QuikTrip, Phoenix
The QuikTrip located at 2255 N. 44th St. in Phoenix was cited for one priority violation.
- A prohibited Y-valve was attached to the mop sink faucet, creating a potential backflow risk. The valve was removed.
Circle K, Gilbert and Tempe
Two Circle K stores, located at 1650 E. Germann Road in Gilbert and 7530 S. Priest Drive in Tempe, were cited for one priority violation each.
- Gilbert location: Rib sandwiches were past their seven-day discard date. The sandwiches were discarded.
- Tempe location: Eggs, milk and bacon were stored at unsafely warm temperatures in a broken beverage cooler. The food was discarded, and the cooler was taken out of use until it can be repaired.
Marriott Residence Inn and Courtyard, Phoenix
The market located inside the Marriott Residence Inn and Courtyard hotel at 132 S. Central Ave. in Phoenix was cited for one priority violation.
- Cheese was stored too warm in a broken cooler. The cheese was discarded, and the cooler was taken out of use until it can maintain a safe temperature.
Dollar Tree, Chandler
The Dollar Tree located at 4180 S. Arizona Ave. in Chandler was cited for one priority violation.
- Deli meats, hot dogs, cheese, milk, bacon and other refrigerated foods were stored at temperatures between 47 and 52 degrees for several days. All of the affected foods were discarded.
Connect with the reporter at laura.sepulveda@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Metro Phoenix grocery stores had moldy jalapeños, expired sandwiches
