Failure to Maintain Sanitary Kitchen Conditions and Proper Food Handling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary conditions in the kitchen, as evidenced by multiple observations of unclean equipment, improper hand hygiene, and inadequate labeling and storage of food items. During inspections, surveyors noted food debris in the handwashing sink, a broken paper towel dispenser with no towels available, and spills of colored liquids and food debris on the kitchen floor. The dry storage area contained an open cardboard box, and the walk-in refrigerator had an opened can of mustard covered only with plastic wrap, as well as unlabeled and undated containers of brown liquid and expired fruit. The walk-in freezer floor was covered with ice, vegetables, cardboard, and other debris. The stove and grill trap contained unidentifiable hot liquid, tiles were missing from the wall behind the stove, and the dishwashing station had pans and plates stored upside down, exposing them to potential contamination. Additionally, a garbage can was missing its lid. Further, the Dietary Manager was observed preparing food for residents with special diets without wearing gloves and wiping her hands on her pants, indicating a lack of proper hand hygiene. Review of cleaning schedules over several weeks revealed that most cleaning tasks were not documented as completed, with many days showing no initials to indicate that cleaning had occurred. Facility policy requires all food preparation and service areas to be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, with routine cleaning schedules and proper trash containment, but these standards were not met. All 74 residents in the facility consumed food prepared in this kitchen.