Failure to Label, Date, and Properly Store Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances of improper food storage and labeling in the facility's main kitchen during an initial sanitation tour. In the dry storage room, there was a large unlabeled storage bin containing a white powder and an unlabeled container partially filled with yellow liquid. In the walk-in cooler, a partially full, unlabeled squeeze bottle with a red/brown substance was found, along with an uncovered bucket of cut-up potatoes in water and trays of desserts that were uncovered and unlabeled. The walk-in freezer contained an open, unlabeled bag of fish patties and an open, unlabeled bag of corn. Additionally, in the food prep area, both a large plastic bin and a smaller plastic container filled with white powder were found to be unlabeled. During an interview, the Kitchen Manager confirmed that all food items should have been labeled and dated when opened, and that uncovered items should have had lids. Facility policies provided by the Kitchen Manager required that bulk foods removed from original packaging be labeled with the common name, date opened, and use-by or discard date, and that opened products be tightly covered and labeled. These policies were not followed, resulting in the cited deficiency. The issue had the potential to affect all 86 residents who received food from the kitchen.