Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Palatable Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was served at a palatable and safe temperature, as required by policy. Multiple interviews revealed that a resident complained about receiving food that was not hot enough, and both a registered nurse and a certified nursing assistant confirmed ongoing complaints regarding food temperature. The CNA reported routinely reheating food for the resident. The Dining Services Director stated that hot food should be served at a minimum of 135 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold food at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. During observation of the tray line, food temperatures were initially within the required range when placed on the tray. However, after the tray was transported and served, the food temperatures had dropped significantly below the required minimum, with the vegetables and shrimp alfredo being cold and the soup only lukewarm. The Dining Services Director confirmed these temperatures. The facility's policy required checking food temperatures before delivery and reheating any items below the goal serving temperature, but this was not consistently achieved, resulting in food being served at unsafe and unappetizing temperatures.