Expired Food Items Not Discarded in Food Storage Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to discard food items that were beyond the manufacturer's expiration date in both walk-in coolers and the dry food storage area. Specifically, two bags of shredded lettuce, one box of mixed lettuce, and two containers of egg salad with expired dates were found in the coolers, while three packs of hotdog buns past their expiration date were found in the dry storage area. These findings were made during an initial kitchen tour with the Dietary Manager. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Administrator revealed that the Dietary Manager was responsible for daily checks of food storage areas for expired items, but had been out of town the previous week. During her absence, two newly hired cooks worked over the weekend but had not been instructed to check for expired food. As a result, expired food items were not identified or discarded, leading to the deficiency.