Safeway

13733 N Fountain Hills Blvd Fountain, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Grocery / Market
License: Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking
Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026
74
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged six inspections at Safeway, the earliest from 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 5, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

“Time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

Restaurants in Fountain Hills average 92, so Safeway trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

6
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 5, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
Hands not washed when required (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At hot line, employee moved glasses on and off face several times, touched apron several times then assisted customer with food without a proper handwash. Instructed employee to remove gloves, wash hands, and don new gloves to continue with task. Discussed the importance of proper hand washing and when hand washing is required with the person-in-charge (PIC). Hands are to be washed at any time contamination occurs and when changing tasks
2-301.14
Sanitization method does not meet required temperatures or concentration (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At in use high temperature warewashing machine, at dishware surface, final rinse reading of 150*F after several cycles. High temperature warewashing machine was placed out of service and repair company was called. 3-compartment sink will be used for all warewashing purposes until machine is repaired. When food-contact surfaces are being sanitized with hot water in a dish machine, the surface temperature is to reach at least 160°F as measured by an irreversible registering temperature measuring device to destroy pathogens that may remain on such surfaces after cleaning
4-703.11
74
Nov 6, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 1 violation
Toxic materials not stored separately from food (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In the center vat of the small three compartment sink, observed packages of frozen food (like seafood) thawing in the vat filled with running water and spilling over. A detergent dispenser line was also submerged in the same vat. Maintain separation between chemicals and food items. The thawing process was redirected to the approved food prep sink
7-201.11
86
Aug 11, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed bagged chicken nuggets/110F in hot case and BBQ bone-in chicken wings/112-122F in the wing bar. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. The PIC voluntarily discarded the nuggets held beyond safe time parameters. In the wing bar, it was discovered that the thermostat was not turned on. Per staff, the wings were in the case less than two hours. The thermostat was turned on and the wings were reheated to 165F prior to being returned to the bar
3-501.16(A)(1)
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed roast beef with discard date 8/9 and no datemark on seafood salad held more than 24 hours and prepared from a kit. Staff on site were unsure of the actual dates for these items. All other RTE/TCS foods in the case were datemarked with discard dates. RTE/TCS foods requiring date marking must be date marked within 24 hours and sold or discarded after 7 days (including the day it was made as day 1). The roast beef and salad were voluntarily discarded at the time of inspection
3-501.18
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The person in charge at the establishment is not a certified food manager. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
70
Apr 24, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The person in charge at the establishment is not a certified food manager. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is required to be on the premises during all hours of operation
2-102.12(A)
95
Nov 18, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
Toxic materials not stored separately from food (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: In back kitchen, observed about five chemical spray bottles stored on edge of storage rack adjacent and over fryer fillters and food storage packaging/bags. Chemicals must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items at all times to prevent contamination. All chemicals were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection
7-201.11
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At the customer self-service wing bar, observed bone-in wings/114-127F, buffalo bone-in wings/111-130F, and salt and vinegar wings/113-130F. Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 135°F or above. After discussion with the person in charge, it has been determined that the root cause of the violation was training staff and a verification breakdown which resulted in the violation. The chicken improperly hot held was overfilled in the pans, but was still within safe time parameters. It was reheated to 165°F at time of inspection, and staff was instructed to not exceed the fill lines in the pans
3-501.16(A)(1)
Food Preparation
Inspector notes: Observed two bags of frozen meatballs being thawed in the ware washing sink. Use the dedicated food prep sink for all food preparation
3-305.14
Food thawed using improper method (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two bags of frozen cooked meatballs submerged under hot (100F) running water. Foods must be thawed under refrigeration, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process. Staff adjusted the water temperature at the faucet
3-501.13
67
Aug 20, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Safeway last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Safeway on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Safeway?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food, hot holding” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Safeway.

How does Safeway compare to other restaurants in Fountain Hills?

Safeway most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Fountain Hills average of 92.

Has Safeway's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Safeway have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Safeway means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.