Failure to Monitor and Maintain Dishwasher Sanitizer Levels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly follow dish sanitation practices in the kitchen, as required by professional standards and manufacturer instructions. The low temperature dish machine was supposed to maintain a sanitizer (chlorine) concentration of 50 parts per million. Although staff received training on the operation and chemical requirements of the new dishwasher, observations revealed that staff only monitored the temperature and soap levels, not the chemical sanitizer levels. Staff relied on an outside company to verify chemical levels, and did not perform routine checks themselves. During observation, a cook was seen using the dishwasher without verifying the sanitizer concentration, and the sanitizer solution container was found empty. When the chemical sanitizer level was tested by the administrator, it measured below the required 50 parts per million, and it was confirmed that no sanitizer was connected to the dish machine at that time. This failure to monitor and maintain proper sanitizer levels resulted in noncompliance with food sanitation standards.