Failure to Properly Label and Date Food Items in Kitchen Storage
Penalty
Summary
During a kitchen inspection, surveyors observed multiple food storage violations. In the reach-in freezer, a container of butter oil and four premade lunches were found without open or preparation dates. The spice cabinet contained numerous containers of spices and oils, all lacking open dates. In the dry storage area, a bin of flour, a bin of sugar, and a bag of panko breadcrumbs were also missing open dates. Additionally, in the walk-in freezer, an open bag of waffles was found exposed to air and not dated. An interview with a staff member confirmed that spices should be dated when opened. Review of the facility's current food receiving and storage policy indicated that all foods stored in refrigerators or freezers must be covered, labeled, and dated, and that dry foods stored in bins should be labeled and dated after removal from original packaging. These observations demonstrated that the facility failed to follow its own policy and professional standards for food storage, labeling, and dating.