Moldy squash, expired food among 9 health code violations for 2 metro Phoenix restaurants

Maricopa County health inspectors cited two restaurants for nine health violations during the week of July 5. The violations ranged from moldy squash to donut trays that were rinsed and stored without proper sanitization.

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 July 5, inspectors visited more than 400 restaurants along with other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Nearly 220 restaurants received an "A" rating. See a sampling of the many restaurants that inspectors graded "A" at the end of this article.

5 violations

Bosa Donuts, 1752 S. Signal Butte Road, Mesa

• An employee washed their hands for less than five seconds without using hand soap or paper towels. The employee was instructed to wash their hands for 20 seconds, with hot soapy water and paper towels to dry them.
• An employee washed dishes in a three-compartment sink and then served donuts to customers without first washing their hands. The employee was told to wash their hands before switching tasks to prevent contamination and did so.
• An employee rinsed trays used for donuts with water and stored them as if they were clean. The employee was trained on how to properly wash dishes in the three-compartment sink. The trays were washed, rinsed and sanitized.
• Boba tea was stored in an upright reach-in cooler with a date of June 20, which was two days past its discard date. The person in charge discarded the drink.
• Ham and cheese croissants had a time stamp of 6 a.m.-10 a.m., which was an hour past their discard time. The person in charge discarded the croissants.

4 violations

Babbo Italian Eatery, 10726 E. Southern Ave, Mesa

• Sliced squash dated June 20 had organic debris on its surface. The food was discarded.
• Polanaise with ground pork was at 47F, chopped lettuce at 50F and shredded lettuce at 51F in the walk-in cooler. The food was in containers higher than four inches and was discarded.
• Grilled chicken was on the prep table at 54F, heavy cream at 53F, fusilli noodles at 53F, fettuccini noodles at 47F and penne pasta at 48F. Chopped romaine lettuce, spring mix lettuce, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheese, Brussel sprouts, blue cheese, feta, goat cheese, ranch, fresh mozzarella, steak rolls, buffalo rolls, Italian rolls, raw breaded chicken, deli meats, roasted bell peppers, chick peas, portabella mushrooms with butter, iceberg lettuce, spring mix were also on the prep table at internal temperatures between 52-56F. Inspectors said it was corrected, but did not say how.
• Sliced deli meats were labeled with a past due date of June 18, fusilli with a past due date of June 22 and fettuccini with a past due date of June 26. All were thrown out because they were more than a day past their discard dates.

Grade A restaurants

Phoenix

• Pho Noodles, 4747 E. Bell Road
• Tacos Kissi, 2720 W. Bethany Home Road
• New Asian Kitchen, 4231 W. Bell Road
• Hula's Modern Tiki, 5114 N. 7th St
• Wren & Wolf, 2 N. Central Ave

Scottsdale

• Wok 'N Roll, 4412 N. Miller Road
• La's Thai Cuisine, 1495 N. Hayden Road
• Valley Wings, 1495 N. Hayden Road
• Porter's Western Saloon, 3944 N. Brown Ave
• Fired Pie, 15425 N. Scottsdale Road

East Valley

• BKD's Backyard Joint, 980 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
• Café Zupas, 3420 E. Baseline Road, Mesa
• Toasty & Sweetz, 930 W. Broadway Road, Tempe
• Egg N' Joe, 3131 S. Market St, Gilbert
• Thanks A Latte, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Queen Creek

West Valley

• Casita Kahlo, 304 E. Western Ave, Avondale
• Yard House, 9401 W. Westgate Blvd, Glendale
• Tacos El Pariente, 4422 W. Peoria Ave, Glendale
• Sip Wine Bar, 17650 W. Elliott Road, Goodyear
• Yummy Yummy Crepes and Snacks, 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale

Source: Maricopa County Environmental Services

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Moldy squash, expired food among 9 health code violations for 2 metro Phoenix restaurants