Maricopa County: 3,500-plus restaurant complaints, 60,000 inspections last year; county lists top violations
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Maricopa County Environmental Services said it received more than 3,500 restaurant complaints last year and conducted about 60,000 food inspections, issuing roughly 3,400 new food permits and maintaining nearly 24,000 active food permits across the county.
The county warned that food from unpermitted establishments can cause foodborne illness and urged consumers to consult its restaurant ratings tool at envapp.maricopa.gov for inspection records and permit status.
"My name is Jason. I'm with the health department. I'm here to do an inspection," an inspector identified only as Jason said while requesting to speak with the on-site chef during an inspection visit described in the briefing. The county presentation named Chef Masco as a cook at the Westin Kierland Resort and included his perspective on inspections.
"The last thing I wanna do is get someone sick, especially children," Chef Masco said, describing food safety as "extremely important" at a resort that often serves families. He said inspections and interactions with environmental services have been "great" and described them as a teaching process that helps train staff and correct issues.
County officials highlighted the top three food-handling violations to watch for: inadequate handwashing, improper hot holding and improper cold holding. Inspectors and restaurateurs in the briefing said environmental-services staff provide guidance on labeling, dating, refrigeration and other corrective steps when violations are found.
The county did not announce any new enforcement changes or proposed rules during the briefing. For consumers who want to review inspection records or confirm a restaurant’s permit status, Maricopa County makes a searchable ratings tool available at envapp.maricopa.gov.
No formal motions or votes were taken during the briefing; the presentation was informational and focused on inspection totals, common violations and public resources.
The county warned that food from unpermitted establishments can cause foodborne illness and urged consumers to consult its restaurant ratings tool at envapp.maricopa.gov for inspection records and permit status.
"My name is Jason. I'm with the health department. I'm here to do an inspection," an inspector identified only as Jason said while requesting to speak with the on-site chef during an inspection visit described in the briefing. The county presentation named Chef Masco as a cook at the Westin Kierland Resort and included his perspective on inspections.
"The last thing I wanna do is get someone sick, especially children," Chef Masco said, describing food safety as "extremely important" at a resort that often serves families. He said inspections and interactions with environmental services have been "great" and described them as a teaching process that helps train staff and correct issues.
County officials highlighted the top three food-handling violations to watch for: inadequate handwashing, improper hot holding and improper cold holding. Inspectors and restaurateurs in the briefing said environmental-services staff provide guidance on labeling, dating, refrigeration and other corrective steps when violations are found.
The county did not announce any new enforcement changes or proposed rules during the briefing. For consumers who want to review inspection records or confirm a restaurant’s permit status, Maricopa County makes a searchable ratings tool available at envapp.maricopa.gov.
No formal motions or votes were taken during the briefing; the presentation was informational and focused on inspection totals, common violations and public resources.
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