Deficiencies in Food Storage, Kitchen Maintenance, and Staff Hygiene Practices
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow professional standards for food service safety by not covering and dating refrigerated and frozen food and drink items. Observations revealed uncovered and undated applesauce bowls, undated liquid and ice cream containers, and frozen cauliflower bags without expiration or received dates. Additionally, drink pitchers in the memory unit refrigerator were found unlabeled. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and Administrator confirmed expectations that all opened food and drink items should be covered, labeled, and dated, but the facility did not provide a policy regarding these practices. The walk-in freezer was observed to be in poor repair, with thick layers of frost and ice on the floor and ceiling, frost on packaging, wet boxes, and water dripping from the ceiling. The freezer thermometer consistently read above the recommended 0°F, with temperatures recorded at 12°F and 7°F. Staff interviews indicated that ice buildup was a recurring issue, with defrosting occurring only once a year or as notified, and that the problem persisted despite previous attempts to reseal the freezer. The facility did not provide a policy on maintaining the freezer in safe operating condition. The kitchen environment was also found to be in disrepair, with multiple areas of peeling paint, cracks, water stains, missing floorboards, and dirty smudges on walls and ceilings. Observations showed that staff did not consistently wear hairnets as required by facility policy, with one dietary aide wearing a baseball cap and exposed hair, and the Dietary Manager wearing a hairnet that did not cover all hair. Interviews confirmed that staff were expected to wear hairnets that fully cover their hair, but this was not consistently practiced. The facility did not provide a policy regarding the maintenance of kitchen surfaces.