Sanitation and Food Storage Deficiencies in Kitchen Operations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary kitchen conditions, ensure proper functioning of the freezer, properly label and date food items, and maintain cleanliness of kitchen equipment. During an initial kitchen tour, surveyors observed significant garbage and debris on the floor in the tray line and food preparation areas, including used hairnets, empty cups, food particles, and greasy residue on the floor tiles. The wall behind the oven was splattered with yellow/brown stains, and the oven itself had dried food residue. Trash containers were overfilled, with lids unable to close, attracting black flies. Additional uncovered boxes of garbage were found near the hand sink and walk-in refrigerator, and a pile of cooked eggs was observed falling from an egg carton toward the floor. A mop bucket filled with dirty water and an unclean mop was also present, and staff confirmed that the floor had not been cleaned that day. The freezer was found with its door partially open and unable to close properly due to a faulty locking mechanism. Inside, there was standing water and ice accumulation on food boxes, and the temperature was recorded at 25°F, above the required 0°F or less. Several food items inside the freezer, including vegetables, pork loin, supplement treats, and oral supplement shakes, were fully defrosted. Staff acknowledged that all products in the freezer should be frozen solid and that the current state compromised food safety. The maintenance director was unaware of the freezer issue, and the dietary manager confirmed that the freezer had been functioning the previous day, with staff responsible for documenting temperatures twice daily. In the refrigerator, multiple food items were found without proper labeling or dating, including hotdogs, hamburger patties, and cheese, while some items were past their use-by dates and showed signs of spoilage. The can opener on the prep table was dirty with thick residue, and staff admitted it had not been cleaned as required. Facility policies provided by the administration outlined expectations for sanitation, garbage disposal, equipment cleaning, and food labeling, all of which were not followed as observed during the survey. The facility's diet order list indicated that two residents were receiving nothing by mouth (NPO) at the time of the survey.