Improper Food Storage Practices in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage practices in the kitchen, as observed during a survey. Specifically, three bags of dry cereal were found with plastic wrap tied loosely around them, leaving the bags open and susceptible to pest entry and contamination. Additionally, an opened gallon of pancake mix and waffle syrup were observed without labels indicating the date they were opened. During an interview, the Dietary Aide acknowledged that the improperly tied cereal bags could allow pests to contaminate the food and that the pancake mix and syrup should have been labeled with the opened date to prevent serving expired products to residents. The Dietary Service Supervisor confirmed that the facility's policy required opened products to be stored in containers with tight-fitting lids and labeled with the date of opening.
Plan Of Correction
How corrective actions will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by this deficient practice: On 3/4/25, the Dietary Manager discarded the three bags of dry cereal that were loosely tied with plastic wrap, the open gallon of pancake mix, and the open gallon of waffle syrup that did not have a label indicating the date it was opened. How the facility will identify other residents, having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice, and what corrective action will be taken: All residents have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. On 3/4/25, the Administrator conducted visual rounds throughout the facility's kitchen to ensure that all items that were opened were properly stored in containers with tight fitted lids or sealed tightly, and labeled with open dates. No other residents were affected by this deficient practice. What measures will be into place or what systemic changes the facility will make to ensure that the deficient practice is not recur: On 3/11/25, the Dietary Manager in-serviced Dietary Staff, including but not limited to, dietary cooks and aids, on the facility's policy and procedure titled, "Food Storage" with emphasis on opened products being placed in storage containers with tight fitting lids and storage products being labeled and dated. The Administrator will conduct rounds in the facility's kitchen daily for five days, weekly for two weeks, and monthly thereafter to ensure products are being properly stored in tight, fitted containers or sealed tightly and labeled and dated. How the facility plans to monitor its performance to make sure that solutions are maintained: The Administrator will report to the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee during its monthly meeting the status of the compliance for food storage, including being properly labeled and dated for three months or until compliance is met.