Failure to Maintain Kitchen and Ice Machine Sanitation Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper kitchen and food storage sanitation in two key areas. First, the sanitizing solution used in the kitchen was not routinely tested for chemical concentration each time it was replaced, despite being changed every two hours. During observation, the Interim Dietary Supervisor confirmed that staff did not test the solution with each replacement, which was contrary to the facility's own policy requiring testing prior to usage. The chemical concentration was only checked during the survey, and the policy and logs indicated that testing should occur with every new batch of solution. Second, the facility did not follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing the ice machine. The Maintenance Supervisor reported that cleaning and sanitizing procedures were performed only on the exterior of the ice machine, using appropriate cleaning and sanitizing agents. However, the manufacturer's instructions required a more thorough process, including internal cleaning and sanitizing steps such as circulating cleaning and sanitizing solutions through the machine's water trough and internal components. Review of the facility's cleaning logs confirmed that these internal procedures were not performed as required.