Failure to Maintain Food Safety and Hygiene Standards in Kitchen Operations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food storage, preparation, distribution, and service, as evidenced by multiple observations in the kitchen. Surveyors found that the freezer contained several items that were thawed instead of being kept solid, including onion rings, waffles, egg patties, cookies, and omelets, with some items left open to air. In the dry storage area, an opened bag of noodles was stored in an unsealed plastic zip bag. Storage containers for flour, corn meal, and sugar were visibly soiled with food particles and a sticky substance. Additionally, frozen chopped ham was observed thawing at room temperature in a sink, which is not an appropriate thawing method. During meal service, the Dietary Manager was observed handling serving trays and plates with gloved hands and then placing bread on residents' plates without changing gloves or using tongs, resulting in potential cross-contamination. The Dietary Manager acknowledged these lapses in hygienic practices during interviews. The facility reported that 53 residents were served meals from the kitchen during the period of observation.