Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions and Improper Food Temperature Practices
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain the kitchen in a clean and sanitary condition and did not follow proper procedures for obtaining food temperatures. Observations on two separate occasions revealed a large grate in front of the oven with a thick layer of black and brown substances, appearing moist, covering the area underneath. The floor under kitchen equipment and around the edges was found to have a buildup of dirt, food debris, and miscellaneous items, including a plastic cup under the reach-in refrigerator. Staff interviews confirmed that the area under the grate sometimes emitted a smell and that both the floor and the area under the grate required cleaning. The grate area was identified as a drain for the dishwasher and was subject to both backflow and cleaning activities by kitchen and maintenance staff. Additionally, a staff member was observed taking food temperatures in a manner that did not meet sanitary standards. The staff member used the same alcohol swab to clean the thermometer between different food items on multiple occasions, rather than using a new swab for each item. This practice was confirmed by the staff member during an interview at the end of the observation.
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