Deficient Food Storage Labeling and Ice Machine Cleaning Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain safe and sanitary food storage and preparation practices in the kitchen. During an observation in the dry storage room, an opened box of whole wheat spaghetti pasta was found without a label indicating the date it was opened. The Dietary Service Supervisor (DSS) confirmed that all opened food items in dry storage should be labeled with the date they were opened, in accordance with the facility's policy. The DSS acknowledged that not labeling food items with an open date could result in residents consuming expired food. Additionally, during an observation in the kitchen area, the outside compartment of the ice machine was found to be dirty with a thick hard water deposit. The DSS stated that dietary staff were responsible for cleaning the outside compartment of the ice machine once a week, but there was no log maintained to document this cleaning. The facility's policy required dietary staff to clean and sanitize the outside of the ice machine daily and as needed. The DSS recognized the importance of cleaning the ice machine for infection control purposes.