Deficient Food Storage and Equipment Cleanliness
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain proper food storage and cleanliness standards in the kitchen and food service areas. During an inspection of the kitchen's two-door stand-up refrigerator, a clear plastic container labeled breakfast meat was found with a use by date that had already passed, as well as a box of bell peppers with an expired use by date. Additionally, a sealable plastic bag containing meat was found opened and without any use by date. The Dietary Manager confirmed these findings, acknowledging that the breakfast meat and bell peppers were past their use by dates and that the opened meat lacked a date label. The facility's policy requires leftovers to be discarded after three days, but these items were not managed according to that standard. Further inspection revealed that the ice machine on one of the facility's halls contained a black flakey substance and rust, indicating a lack of proper cleaning and maintenance. The Dietary Manager confirmed the presence of these substances in the ice machine. These observations demonstrate a failure to adhere to professional standards for food storage, preparation, and equipment cleanliness, as outlined in the facility's own food handling procedures.