Improper Food Labeling, Dating, and Storage in Kitchen and Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances of improper food labeling, dating, and storage in the facility's kitchen and related storage areas. During the initial and subsequent tours, items such as a pitcher of iced tea with an expired use-by date, trays of individual juices without labels or dates, and open drink packets and cereal lacking proper labeling and dating were found. Additionally, an open container of ham base and a single serving of ice cream were discovered without appropriate labeling or with expired use-by dates. A frozen water bottle was also found stuck to the bottom of the nurses station freezer. These findings indicate that the facility did not consistently follow its own storage procedures or the FDA Food Code requirements for labeling and dating ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety foods. The Dietary Manager confirmed during an interview that staff had received repeated education on proper labeling, dating, and discarding of food past use-by dates, but the issues persisted. The facility's policy required all refrigerated leftovers to be used within 5-7 days and all foods in the freezer to be labeled and dated, in accordance with food code requirements. The failure to adhere to these standards resulted in the potential for foodborne illness among all residents consuming food from the kitchen.