Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions and Improper Ice Machine Sanitization
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple unsanitary conditions in the facility's kitchen. A brown colored substance and a dead bug, identified as a water bug or cockroach, were found on the floor between a reach-in refrigerator and freezer, along with a buildup of dust and debris on the floor and external surfaces of the units. The Dietary Supervisor was unaware of the presence of the debris and pest, while the Maintenance Supervisor confirmed the identification of the bug and acknowledged the dirty conditions. Pest control traps were present, but the area had not been adequately cleaned. The facility's ice machine was not sanitized according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The Maintenance Supervisor, responsible for cleaning the ice machine, reported using only a Nickel Safe Ice Machine Cleaner monthly, believing it served both as a cleaner and sanitizer. However, the manufacturer's instructions require a separate sanitizing step with a specific sanitizer, which was not being performed. The facility's policy also required monthly cleaning and sanitizing per the manufacturer's instructions, which was not followed. Additionally, baseboards under a kitchen sink were observed to be peeling away from the wall, creating an open crevice that could serve as an entry point for pests. Both the Dietary Supervisor and Maintenance Supervisor were aware of the issue, which had been noted in previous kitchen audits, but no action plan or repair had been implemented. Facility policies required regular sanitation inspections to ensure compliance with regulations, but the physical condition of the kitchen did not meet these standards.