Failure to Properly Label Food and Maintain Cleanliness of Kitchenettes and Beverage Machines
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure proper labeling, dating, and storage of food items, as well as adequate cleaning of kitchenettes and beverage machines on multiple floors. Unlabeled and uncovered food items were found in refrigerators and freezers, and various beverage machines—including coffee, ice/water, and juice machines—had visible residues such as white flaky substances, standing water, and dried or standing brown liquid. These issues were confirmed by staff interviews, who acknowledged that all food items should be labeled and dated, and that machines should be clean and free of stains or water drippings. Further review revealed that there was confusion among staff regarding responsibility for cleaning the machines, with some staff unsure whether culinary or housekeeping was responsible. The facility's policy and cleaning log indicated that culinary staff were responsible for cleaning beverage machines, refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves, and that a cleaning schedule and sign-off log were maintained. However, observations showed that cleaning was not consistently performed according to policy, as evidenced by repeated findings of residue and unclean conditions in all three kitchenettes inspected.