Failure to Label and Date Opened and Thawed Food Items in Dietary Department
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain proper food storage and labeling practices in the dietary department, which increased the risk of food contamination and food-borne illness. During an initial tour of the dietary area, it was found that several food items inside the reach-in tray line refrigerators, including opened containers of chocolate milk, a prepared plated tossed salad with chicken, an opened gallon of milk, and an opened can of cola, did not have use by dates or thaw dates as required by facility policy. Additionally, thawed nutritional supplements such as juice drinks and Magic Cup supplements were found without any indication of thaw or discard dates, making it impossible to determine if they were still safe for consumption. The facility's own policy, last reviewed in February 2025, requires that all time/temperature control foods and ready-to-eat foods prepared on site and held for longer than 24 hours must be properly labeled and dated. The dietary supervisor confirmed these observations and acknowledged that the lack of labeling on opened and thawed items was not in accordance with safe food handling practices. No information about specific residents or their medical conditions was provided in the report.