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.
County inspection records on the Maricopa portal show similar issues popping up in other recent reports. One inspection log notes "3 heads of cauliflower with black and brown growth" along with other produce showing fuzzy growth consistent with mold. That primary record is available on the county EnvApp inspection portal via Maricopa County.
How To Check And Report
Shoppers who spot spoiled or unsafe food do not have to just walk away and grumble in the parking lot. You can file a complaint or review inspection reports online. Visit Maricopa County Environmental Services or the county EnvApp inspection portal to search by business name and see whether a problem was corrected. You can also call the department at 602-506-6616 to report concerns.
Why It Matters
Mold problems and temperature-control failures show up again and again in weekly Dirty Dining roundups, a sign that these are not one-off issues in the Valley food scene. Arizona's Family regularly pulls Maricopa County inspection data and highlights similar priority violations, including moldy produce and improper hot or cold holding that can lead to foodborne illness.
Most stores fix violations on the spot and cooperate with follow-up visits. Still, if you see moldy produce in a display, it is worth flagging it for store management and checking the county report for that location before you load up on prepared items. Maricopa County records let shoppers confirm whether a business addressed hazards and passed re-inspection after an enforcement visit.
