Maricopa County inspectors cited three metro Phoenix grocery stores after finding moldy cauliflower, bagged lettuce and ginger, plus eggs left sitting unrefrigerated, during inspections on Feb. 16, 2026. The county labeled those issues as priority food-safety violations, which require quick fixes to cut the risk of foodborne illness for shoppers.
As reported by The Arizona Republic, county inspectors logged the moldy produce and other priority problems during routine checks of grocery departments that sell prepared food. According to the report, inspectors either tossed the suspect items immediately or ordered on-the-spot corrections before leaving the stores.
Maricopa County Environmental Services oversees grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations that sell prepared food under the same rules that apply to restaurants, and it runs regular inspections to keep businesses in line. The department posts inspection reports and food-safety guidance online and can require re-inspections or corrective plans when it finds priority violations.
What Inspectors Flagged
Inspection notes from the Feb. 16 visits describe heads of cauliflower and bags of lettuce with visible mold, ginger roots showing signs of spoilage and eggs stored outside of refrigeration. All of it was flagged as priority violations that heighten the risk of contamination. As detailed by The Arizona Republic, inspectors either discarded the affected food or ordered immediate corrective action before moving on…