Improper Food Storage and Incomplete Beard Restraint Use in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage and staff hygiene practices in the kitchen. During an observation of the walk-in freezer, frozen biscuits, hash brown potatoes, and chicken breast were found in unsealed, unlabeled, and undated plastic bags. The Registered Dietician confirmed that these practices were unacceptable and acknowledged that food in the freezer should be sealed, labeled, and dated to maintain food quality and prevent contamination. Facility policy also required frozen foods to be stored in airtight, moisture-resistant wrappers and to be labeled and dated. Additionally, during a tray line service observation, a food services worker was seen wearing a beard restraint that did not fully cover his beard and mustache while preparing to plate food. The beard restraint only covered his chin, leaving the upper beard and mustache exposed. The Dietary Supervisor and Registered Dietician both stated that all facial hair should be completely covered to prevent contamination of food, in accordance with facility policy. These lapses in food storage and staff hygiene had the potential to compromise food safety.