Failure to Properly Store and Label Food and Beverages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food and beverages in accordance with professional standards for food service safety in the main kitchen and three of four nourishment areas. Observations revealed multiple instances where thickened beverages and food items were either not labeled with an open date or were kept beyond the allowable time frames specified by both facility policy and product labeling. Specifically, containers of thickened lemon water and apple juice were found open and either undated or dated beyond the seven-day limit for use after opening. Additionally, food items brought in from outside sources were not consistently labeled with the resident's name and the date the food was brought in, nor were they always discarded after the three-day holding period as required by facility policy. Interviews with the Food Service Director confirmed that these items should have been properly labeled and discarded according to the established time frames. The Nursing Home Administrator also stated that it was the facility's expectation for expired items to be discarded and for all food and beverages to be labeled and stored per policy and professional standards. These findings indicate a failure to adhere to both internal policies and professional standards regarding the safe storage and handling of food and beverages.