Food Service Safety Deficiencies Due to Inaccessible Handwashing Sink and Staff Noncompliance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prepare and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by multiple observations during kitchen operations. The only handwashing sink in the kitchen was blocked by a large dietary cart full of dirty dishes, making it inaccessible to staff. Interviews with facility staff revealed ongoing concerns about the lack of a conveniently located handwashing sink, with discussions about adding another sink but no resolution due to space and plumbing constraints. The placement of dietary carts further contributed to the inaccessibility of the handwashing sink, impeding regular hand hygiene practices. During lunch service, dietary staff were observed violating food safety protocols, including wearing artificial fingernails and jewelry while handling food without gloves, and failing to wash hands after activities that could contaminate them, such as leaving and re-entering the kitchen or handling personal items like cell phones. The Certified Dietary Manager was also observed assisting with food items without washing hands after entering the kitchen. These actions were not in compliance with the 2022 FDA Food Code requirements for hand hygiene, fingernail maintenance, and jewelry restrictions for food employees.