Deficiencies in Food Storage, Labeling, and Infection Control in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in food storage, labeling, and handling within the facility's dietary department. In the walk-in cooler, opened containers of chicken and beef base were found without use-by dates, and one container had an illegible date. Additionally, two apples with visible spoilage were stored with other apples. The Dietary Manager confirmed that these items should have been labeled with use-by dates and discarded if spoiled or past their expiration, and acknowledged that the apples showed clear signs of spoilage. The Administrator stated that all food items should be labeled, dated, and checked regularly for spoilage or expiration. In the dry storage room, opened bags of egg noodles and croutons were found undated, and a plastic bag of red potatoes in the walk-in cooler was also undated. The Regional Director of Operations and the Administrator both confirmed that all opened food items should be dated when opened, and that the Dietary Manager was responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy. In the walk-in freezer, an open box of hamburger patties was found uncovered and undated, which was also confirmed as non-compliant by facility leadership. Surveyors also observed infection control breaches by dietary staff. One dietary aide was seen removing ice from the ice machine with her bare hand, touching ice that remained in the machine, and placing the ice in her personal beverage. Another dietary aide was observed handling dirty dishes and then touching clean items in the kitchen without removing gloves and performing hand hygiene. Both the Regional Director of Operations and the Administrator confirmed that these actions were not in accordance with facility policy, which requires the use of an ice scoop and proper hand hygiene when moving from dirty to clean tasks.