Moldy cucumbers among 12 violations at metro Phoenix restaurants

Maricopa County health inspectors cited three metro Phoenix restaurants for 12 health violations during the week of Aug. 10. Violations included moldy cucumbers, chicken, pork and beef thawing in the same container, and a cook touching their phone before handling food without washing their hands. A

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Maricopa County health inspectors cited three metro Phoenix restaurants for 12 health violations during the week of Aug. 10. Violations included moldy cucumbers, chicken, pork and beef thawing in the same container, and a cook touching their phone before handling food without washing their hands.

A priority violation is a major violation that directly increases the risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.

During the week of Aug. 10, inspectors visited more than 1,450 restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. About 450 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the A-rated restaurants at the bottom of this article.

4 priority violations

Thai Food Corner, 5253 E. Brown Road, Mesa

Raw chicken, pork and beef were thawed together, with blood from the raw meat visible in the container. Raw chicken and pork skewers were also thawed together. All affected meat was discarded, and staff were reminded to keep raw proteins separated while thawing to prevent cross-contamination.
A chicken-slicing machine had dried food debris on it. The restaurant's manager said it had not been used since the previous day and disassembled it for cleaning and sanitizing during the inspection.
Pork egg roll mixture was left at room temperature after being cooked about three hours earlier. The mixture was discarded during the inspection.
Bean sprouts, yellow curry, raw beef, cooked shrimp, chicken, cream cheese and leafy greens were stored too warm. The foods had been in the cooler since the previous day and were discarded.

Pitch Pizzeria, 18750 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale

An employee used a cellphone and then put on gloves without washing their hands. The employee was instructed to properly wash their hands before putting on new gloves.
An employee did not properly wash their hands, rinsing off the soap without scrubbing with it for the required 10-15 seconds. The employee was told to wash their hands correctly during the inspection.
Raw salmon was stored above tomato pizza sauce in the walk-in cooler, creating a risk of contamination. The restaurant manager moved the salmon to proper storage.
Several foods were stored too warm in a sandwich cooler that was at room temperature. Items including tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, raw meats, cooked meats, crab mix, tuna, salmon and prosciutto were discarded.

Pizza Shack Slice House, 7145 E. Main St., Mesa

Cucumbers in a reach-in cooler had organic growth on them. They were thrown away.
Raw eggs were stored above deli meats such as ham and turkey in the walk-in cooler. The restaurant manger rearranged the foods so raw eggs were stored below ready-to-eat foods.
Chili on the stovetop was not hot enough, and the burner was turned off. The manager said it had been there for less than an hour, so the chili was reheated to a safe temperature.
Several foods, including ham, bacon, beef, sausages, eggs, cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella, spaghetti and Alfredo noodles, were stored too warm. The restaurant manager threw away the affected foods.