Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Service and Staff Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple sanitation and hygiene deficiencies in the facility's kitchen during a tour with dietary management staff. The plate warmer unit in the service line area was found to have orange and black particles, dust, and rust that could not be removed. A dome cover dispenser next to the plate warmer contained multiple food crumbs, dried food, and dried liquid marks both inside and outside, as well as on the domes themselves. Several hard plastic cups in the dishwasher crate were covered in a hard white dried powder, identified as lime stains. In the clean area where utensils and silverware were stored, metal bin dividers had visible crumbs and dust, and a pair of serving tongs hanging above the utensils had a dried white food substance. Additionally, the Dietary Manager was observed not wearing proper hair restraints, using only a baseball cap and lacking a beard cover, contrary to facility policy. An outside food sales representative was also seen entering the kitchen and clean dish area without a hair cover. These observations were confirmed by dietary management staff. The facility's policy requires food service employees to practice good personal hygiene and wear hair restraints that cover all hair, including beards longer than a quarter inch.