Failure to Properly Label, Store, and Sanitize Food and Equipment
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies in the facility's food storage and kitchen sanitation practices. In the kitchen, a shallow pan with croutons and a pan with rolls were found covered but not dated. Additionally, the ice machine's scoop was stored in a container with yellow sludge and stagnant water, and the container lacked drainage holes. Dietary staff confirmed the presence of undated food items and the unsanitary condition of the ice scoop container. Further inspection of the kitchen revealed 11 undated chocolate cakes, undated pitchers of iced tea and lemonade, and a stick of butter with a substance on its wrapper in the walk-in refrigerator. The steam tables were also found to have a buildup of grime and debris. The Dietary Director confirmed these findings. Review of facility policies indicated that all food should be covered, dated, and labeled, and that equipment should be washed and sanitized after every use. These failures had the potential to affect all 73 residents who received food from the kitchen.