Expired Food Storage Deficiency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was stored in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as observed during a recertification survey. During an initial tour of the kitchen, surveyors found multiple cans of expired beef stew in the emergency food storage and expired frozen omelets in the kitchen freezer. The facility's undated food storage policy requires that all stock be rotated with each new order received, using the First in - First out method, and that food be dated as it is placed on shelves. However, the Assistant Food Manager admitted during an interview that the expired food was an oversight and that they did not check the dates during rounds.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved January 2, 2025 **NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Immediate Corrective Action: - All expired food was immediately removed and discarded. - Assistant Food Manager and Food Manager doubled check all emergency food storage for expired food. - Assistant Food Manager and Food Manager was re-educated on the food storage safety policy. Identification of Others Potentially Affected: - The facility respectfully submits all residents were potentially affected by this practice. System Changes to Prevent Recurrence: - The Compliance Officer reviewed the food storage safety policy on [DATE] and no modifications were made. The policy and procedure align with the standardized state and regulatory requirements. - The Compliance Officer in-serviced all kitchen staff on [DATE] on the food storage safety policy. - In order to improve our current intake monitoring system, we are implementing a check and balances rotation checkup form, which will consist of cataloging our inventory with the dates in which everything was received, contrasted with the expiration date on said products. Quality Assurance Monitoring: - Food Manager and Assistant Food Manager will audit the emergency food storage biweekly for 3 months, thereafter monthly. - All findings and/or deficiencies will be highlighted during the QAPI monthly meetings. - Audit tool was created and implemented for ongoing monitoring. Responsible Party: Food Manager/ Assistant Food Manager