Deficiencies in Food Labeling, Temperature Control, and Sanitary Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper labeling and dating of food items stored in community refrigerators on two of three floors where residents' personal food was kept. Observations revealed undated and unlabeled containers, including a plastic bag with a Tupperware container, a half-full plastic pitcher with orange liquid, and a container of ice cream dated nearly two months prior. Additionally, an unlabeled and undated container of cooked pasta was found. The Dietary Manager confirmed these items were for resident consumption and acknowledged they should have been labeled and dated according to facility policy. During food service, a dietary aide recorded a chicken temperature of 120°F on the steam table, which was below the required standard. The Dietary Manager verified the temperature and instructed the aide to reheat the chicken, confirming that no residents had been served the underheated food. In the kitchen, another dietary aide was observed prepping fruit without gloves and touching the inside of serving bowls with their thumb, which the Dietary Manager confirmed was not in line with sanitary practices. These actions were inconsistent with the facility's policies on food storage, temperature maintenance, and hygiene during food preparation.