Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyIn 2008, more than 45 million people have flown in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport – many eating at the dozens of restaurants and bars.
Whether your flight is delayed or you’re bored with airplane food, convenience is key. But should you also be questioning cleanliness before you grab a bite to eat?
Looking through health inspection reports dating back to 2006, the ABC15 Investigators found Sky Harbor restaurants with major health violations. In some cases, repeatedly failing to follow health code requirements.
Dr. Kelly Reynolds is a microbiologist and public health professor with the University of Arizona in Tucson.
“Cleanliness in a restaurant is very important,” said Reynolds. ““In a high volume fast food situation where you have a lot of people potentially exposed, it's that much more important. We've heard in the news a lot about food born outbreaks and this could be a major source
.” At a Pizza Hut in Terminal 4, a health inspection record points to “
rodent droppings found along coved base of walls behind pizza oven”. Famous Familigia in Terminal 4 received 17 major violations including “deli slicer soiled with food debris” and 12 of 15 employees “without food service worker cards”.
“If an employee doesn't receive that training there could be many potentials for improper behavior that could lead to human disease,” Reynolds said.
Meaning they may not know the basics of food safety. Famous Familigia was also cited for “spaghetti …and dressings” not held at proper temperature.
That was not the only restaurant we found with food temperature problems, a serious issue in terms of bacteria.
“There is a zone, a range of temperature that bacteria can grow in,” said Reynolds. “Things like salmonella, Shigella and E. coli these are all bacteria that are all common.”
And we’re not just talking about food. Maricopa County Environmental Service health inspection reports consistently show black mold in the ice machines and something we found in multiple restaurants’ inspection reports that may be hard to swallow, “filthy soda nozzles”.
In October 2008, the Kokopelli Deli in Terminal 3 was cited after an employee “washed his hands then brushed his teeth with his fingers then went to work with food”.
In Terminal 4 at Flo’s Shanghai Cafe, employees were caught “cutting chicken with bare hands”, “portioning peanuts onto chicken bare handed”. Overall, Flo’s Shanghai Kitchen has received 20 major violations and six repeat major violations since 2006, more than any other restaurant at Sky Harbor Airport.
In a statement to ABC15, Flo’s Shanghai Café said:
“Flo’s has 11 years of history now in Phoenix. Our reputation and success have been built on hard work and a sincere desire to deliver the customer with value, quality and supreme service. In addition, we have a close relationship with the health department. Flo’s works directly with them to train, instruct, and help our staff adhere to all Maricopa County Environmental Service Department rules and regulations. If we have ever or will ever violate any of these standards, Flo’s Restaurants has and will take action to correct them.” – Dustin Wallace
“The amount of people that pass through here daily is outrageous,” said a traveler at Sky Harbor Airport. “Yeah, so I think that they should take better care of their facilities.”
HMSHost, the management company representing Pizza Hut, Famous Familigia and Kokopelli Deli, told ABC15:
“We never want to see violations of any kind in any of our establishments, but unfortunately, this can happen and when it does, we take every possible measure to make corrections immediately and prevent it from happening again. As a company operating nationwide in public venues, HMSHost has on-going training with all employees, from those who prepare food all the way to restaurant managers. We also have an ongoing pest control program in place and if there is a problem, we address it immediately. In addition, nationwide we employ an independent health inspection service and as part of the program at Sky Harbor International Airport specifically, we receive “unannounced” inspections throughout the year. This year, the first round of 2008 inspections has taken place and we received high marks. At this time, the final independent inspection for this year is underway and if there are any issues, we will follow up quickly and take action on any findings.”
Susan Goyette
Senior Director, Communications & Public Relations
HMSHost
Research your favorite restaurant:Click here to search the Maricopa County Environmental Services Restaurant Ratings.
Click here to submit a complaint about a restaurant.
Click here to track a restaurant complaint you've already submitted (you will need your complaint number).
