BLAZE PIZZA

300 Martin Luther King Jr. PKWY STE 100, Des Moines, IA, 50309

6 cited findings

Most recent inspection

Date: June 10, 2026
Type: Routine
Result: Not reported
Risk category: Not reported
Cited findings: 6
Jurisdiction: Polk County (Des Moines)
Source risk checklist count: 3
Good Retail Practices findings: 3

Published report comment

Non-illness complaint inspection conducted in conjunction with a routine. Complainant stated concerns regarding general facility sanitation and poor personal hygiene. Firm stated they were not aware of the identified complaint, nor had they received any additional or similar complaints since. Complaint is closed and verified. Firm agreed to voluntarily close until the noted violations have been corrected. Once the violations have been addressed, firm agreed to contact the inspector for a physical recheck to re-open the operation only with inspector approval. Photo of the posted closure signage attached. Items to review for the follow-up physical recheck: Item #22: Firm agreed to discard all food items located in the pizza make table and walk-in cooler that did not appear to be operational. Firm began this process at the time of this inspection. All temperatures observed were above 41 degrees F. when measuring individual foods in both coolers. Person in charge stated they would contact the inspector once all food currently being held in these areas was discarded, cooler units were repaired and cold holding temperatures were maintaining below 41 degrees F. in both coolers. Item #47: Person in charge stated they would have the two identified cooler units serviced/repaired and verify adequate cold holding temperatures, prior to re- stocking the units. Item #55: Firm agreed to clean and sanitize the identified areas prior to the inspector returning. Item #56: Firm currently working with a third party to repair/service the unit to remove the excessive heat from the facility. Follow-up will be completed on or after 6/13/2026 by Physical Recheck.

Violations (6)

3-301.11(B)(D)(E )CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 9 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Employee observed handling fresh, ready-to-eat strawberries with their bare hands. Corrected by: Person in charge voluntarily discarded the container of strawberries.
Risk Factors | P | Item 9
3-501.16(A)(2)Critical
Iowa food code item 22 (Risk Factors)
Observation: All potentially hazardous food items measured over 41.0 degrees F. in the front reach-in cooler (pizza make table) and the walk-in cooler. Specifically, meatballs in the walk-in cooler were measured at 49.1 degrees F. and chicken in the reach in cooler were measured at 50.7 degrees F. Photos attached. Person in charge started voluntarily discarding all potentially hazardous food items.
Risk Factors | P | Item 22
2-401.11Corrected on site
Iowa food code item 6 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Open employee beverage stored on the cutting board of a make table. Corrected by: Person in charge moved the beverage to a dedicated storage area.
Risk Factors | C | Item 6
4-401.11(A)(B), 4.402.11, 4-402.12, 4-501.11
Iowa food code item 47 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Reach-in cooler (pizza make table) and the walk-in cooler do not appear to maintained in good repair. This was evidenced by both cold holding units not being able to maintain temperatures below 41 degrees F. Specifically, the walk-in cooler thermostat was reading 48.0 degrees F. and the pizza make table thermostat was reading at 51.0 degrees F. Photos attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 47
6-501.12, 6-501.13
Iowa food code item 55 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Firm has a build-up of debris on the wall behind the 3 compartment manual warewashing sink, freezer floor and around the tables in the dining room. Photos attached.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 55
6-304.11
Iowa food code item 56 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Ventilation does not appear to be adequate to remove excessive heat, steam, condensation and/or fumes as the unit does not currently appear to be maintained in good repair.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 56

Source: Polk County (Des Moines) health department. Data refreshed October 16, 2026. Results are shown in the health department's own wording. This record is provided for general information; confirm current status with the health department before relying on it.