Unpalatable and Overcooked Food Served to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food served to residents on a Regular Diet was palatable, as evidenced by multiple observations and resident interviews. During dining observations, one resident refused to eat mashed potatoes, stating they had no flavor and did not taste good. Other residents reported that the food was terrible, lacked flavor, and that vegetables, specifically carrots, were overcooked and mushy. These observations were corroborated by residents who did not finish their meals due to the poor quality of the food. A lunch test tray review conducted with the Dietary Manager, Dietary Director, and Registered Dieticians confirmed that the mashed potatoes served on both Regular and Pureed Diet trays lacked flavor. The facility's ordered diet list indicated that 105 residents were on Regular or Pureed diets. A review of the facility's policy and procedure on Food Preparation stated that food should be prepared to conserve nutritive value, flavor, and appearance, which was not adhered to in these instances.