Failure to Dispose of Spoiled Produce in Kitchen Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly identify and dispose of spoiled fruits and vegetables stored in the walk-in refrigerator, as observed during a kitchen tour. Two bags of grapes with a greenish black fuzzy substance and a cloudy light greenish liquid, as well as a tomato with a fuzzy greenish black substance around the stem, were found in the refrigerator. The facility's dietary policy required staff to check expiration dates and discard expired foods, but did not provide guidance on monitoring or disposing of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Certified Dietary Manager confirmed that these spoiled products should not have been present and acknowledged that staff only check foods with expiration dates, with no clear process for monitoring fresh produce. This deficiency had the potential to affect all 45 residents in the facility.