Failure to Ensure Proper Hair Covering and Food Labeling in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Kitchen staff failed to consistently wear hair coverings while working in food service and preparation areas. During an observation, a dishwasher was seen without the required hair covering in the dishwashing area near the food preparation station. The staff member stated he was unaware that his hair netting had fallen and believed his hair was still covered. The dietary supervisor confirmed that a hair covering not properly secured could result in hair falling into food, clean dishes, or food preparation areas, which increases the risk of food contamination. Additionally, in the dry food storage room, a large plastic container filled with a powdered substance was found to be unlabeled and undated. The dietary supervisor identified the substance as a powdered nutritional supplement and acknowledged that it should have been labeled and dated according to facility protocol. Facility policies reviewed indicated that all food items in the storeroom should be labeled and dated, and that food delivered to the facility should be marked with a received date.