Failure to Provide Palatable and Properly Prepared Meals
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure meals were palatable, affecting three residents reviewed for food. Observations included a lunch meal consisting of a peppered hamburger patty, buttered noodles, green beans, and white cake. A test tray revealed the meat was crispy around the edges and tough, the noodles were overcooked and mushy, and the green beans were bland. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the noodles were intentionally cooked softer due to resident complaints about hardness, but admitted the foods were overcooked to achieve the required temperature for the beef patties. Resident interviews confirmed dissatisfaction with the meal quality. One resident stated the noodles and beef patty were overdone, another described the food as processed, tough, and unappetizing, and a third resident complained about the meat being tough and referred to it as 'mystery meat,' also noting the noodles were mushy and fish was hard when served. The facility's policy on food palatability emphasized serving meals that are nutritious, safe, and acceptable in taste, appearance, and texture, but these standards were not met during the observed meal service.