Failure to Maintain Sanitary Conditions and Proper Food Handling in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple unsanitary conditions in the kitchen area during an initial walkthrough, including debris and hair on and around the sugar and flour bins, food debris at the bottom of snack and storage dish carts, and dirt, grease, and hair on a shelving unit. The floor was found to have an accumulation of food debris and dried liquid, and both freezer and refrigerator units contained food debris at the bottom. The Dietary Manager confirmed that these areas should be clean and free of debris and hair. During lunch service, a staff member was observed placing blender covers and spatulas directly on the countertop, including after handling soiled gloves, without performing hand hygiene. The staff member also used tongs for both food and non-food items without removing them from service, and failed to perform hand hygiene after glove removal. The Dietician confirmed that these actions did not meet expected sanitary practices and that the staff member would have continued without intervention. Facility policy requires strict hand hygiene, proper use of utensils, and prevention of cross-contamination, which were not followed during these observations.