When it comes to a restaurant’s food health and safety around greater Phoenix, there are very specific regulations every food-serving business must abide by. There is also a very specific grading system in place every owner knows about. While participating in the letter grading system is optional, the inspection and determining factors of cleanliness and safety, are not. In the Valley, a restaurant that receives three Priority Violations automatically receives a D-level inspection, no ifs, ands, or buts. However, one restaurant just received 7 Priority Violations, which not only makes it the worst-reviewed restaurant of the past 1,500, but potentially the worst-reviewed restaurant of the entire year.
A Priority Violation is one that directly contributes to the increased risk of foodborne illness and injury. It leads to the growth of bacteria and cross-contamination. A secondary violation, known as a Priority Foundation Violation, is considered minor and doesn’t have anything to do with foodborne illness. Generally, it has something to do with building upkeep.