Drugs near food among 17 health violations at metro Phoenix restaurants

Maricopa County health inspectors cited four metro Phoenix restaurants for 17 health violations during the week of July 13. Violations included storing medication near food that can be contaminated, preparing a burrito with bare hands and employees not washing their hands after touching their face.

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Maricopa County health inspectors cited four metro Phoenix restaurants for 17 health violations during the week of July 13. Violations included storing medication near food that can be contaminated, preparing a burrito with bare hands and employees not washing their hands after touching their face.

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 July 13, inspectors visited about 1,380 restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 400 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the A-rated restaurants at the bottom of this article.

5 priority violations

My Thai Bowl, 1065 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert

An employee touched their face and then prepared food without washing their hands. The inspector coached the employee on proper handwashing practices.
The sanitizer used for washing dishes was too weak. The solution was remade.
Fried tofu was left out at room temperature, and a bag of cooked chicken had not cooled properly since the day before. Both products were discarded.
Raw eggs were stored at unsafe temperatures, and seed sprouts were too warm in a prep cooler. The eggs were discarded and the sprouts were placed in the larger refrigerator to cool down properly.
Cold medicine and pain medication were stored near food and food preparation areas. The items were relocated during the inspection.

4 priority violations

Raffaele's Gourmet, 4500 S. Dobson Road, Chandler

An employee handled cheese for a burrito with their bare hands instead of gloves. The burrito was thrown away, and staff was reminded that ready-to-eat foods cannot be touched with bare hands.
Raw pork was stored above French fries, creating a contamination risk. Staff moved the raw pork to the correct storage location.
Breakfast sandwiches, burritos, chicken wings and roasted peppers were being kept too cool in a hot holding unit. All the improperly hot-held foods were discarded.
Raw eggs, raw beef patties, raw chorizo, French fries, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheese, raw pork and cut melon were stored at unsafe temperatures. All of the improperly cold-held foods were discarded.

Bosa Donuts, 2990 N. Dobson Road, Chandler

Two employees put on gloves and handled ready-to-eat food without first washing their hands. Both employees were instructed to wash their hands before handling food.
Raw eggs were stored above tomatoes, creating a contamination risk. Staff moved the eggs below ready-to-eat foods.
Deli ham, turkey, tomatoes and cheese were stored at unsafe temperatures in an overfilled prep cooler. The food was moved to a working refrigerator to cool to a safe temperature.
A plumbing device on the soda machine was leaking and had built up mineral deposits and food debris. The restaurant was ordered to repair or replace the device before the follow-up inspection.

Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, 1940 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa

Raw fish was stored above Spam, sausages and rice cakes, creating a contamination risk. Staff moved the raw fish below ready-to-eat foods.
Fried rice on the buffet was not being kept hot enough. It was reheated to a safe temperature.
Cut fruit, cabbage, oysters, Spam, rice cakes, sausages and raw fish were being stored at unsafe temperatures. The food was moved to properly working refrigerators to cool to a safe temperature, and the restaurant stopped using the malfunctioning cooler until it could be repaired.
A sprayer nozzle was improperly attached to the mop sink plumbing, creating a backflow risk. Staff removed the nozzle during the inspection.