Deficiencies in Food Service Equipment Maintenance and Sanitation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain cleanliness and proper maintenance of food service equipment, affecting 134 residents. During an initial tour of the food service area, several deficiencies were observed, including a soiled ceiling-mounted return-air-exhaust ventilation grill and dirty overhead light assembly plastic lens covers. Additionally, a half-gallon of lactose-free milk was found in a cooler without an effective open or discard date, contrary to the facility's date marking procedure. The can opener assembly was also noted to be soiled with encrusted food residue. Further observations revealed a broken atmospheric vacuum breaker on the dish machine room hand sink faucet assembly and a mechanical dish machine psi gauge reading outside the acceptable range during the final rinse cycle. In the facility's food service pantries, various issues were identified, such as a damaged microwave oven face plate, mineralized ice machine dispensing spouts, and soiled ventilation grills. These findings indicate a lack of adherence to the 2022 FDA Model Food Code, which requires regular cleaning and maintenance of food-contact surfaces and equipment. Record reviews of the facility's policies and procedures highlighted a General Kitchen Sanitation Policy and a Preventative Maintenance Program, both of which were not effectively implemented. The policies outlined the need for a written cleaning schedule, daily sanitation rounds, and monthly audits, as well as a maintenance schedule to ensure a safe and sanitary environment. However, the observed deficiencies suggest that these protocols were not adequately followed, leading to potential risks of cross-contamination and inadequate sanitization.