Food Storage and Preparation Deficiencies Observed in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain proper food storage and preparation practices in the facility's kitchen. During an initial kitchen tour, surveyors observed opened, unsealed, unlabeled, and undated bags of French fries and chicken in the stand-up freezer. Additionally, boxes of frozen cakes and wild caught cod were found stacked directly on the floor of the walk-in freezer. Staff responsible for preparing and serving breakfast was not wearing a hat or hairnet, nor was his full beard covered, as required by facility policy. The Assistant Dietary Manager confirmed these observations during the tour. Further observations during lunch service revealed that a staff member serving tacos did not use tongs to handle cheese, lettuce, tomato, or onion, instead using her gloved hands. She also used her gloved hands to retrieve other food items such as chicken tenders, hamburgers, hotdogs, and fish filets, without changing gloves or performing hand hygiene after touching various surfaces. Two male staff members, including the Food Service Director and a Maintenance Worker, entered the kitchen and tray line area without wearing hairnets or beard covers. Facility policies reviewed required the use of utensils for food handling, proper date marking of food, and adherence to professional food safety standards, all of which were not followed as observed.