Expired Test Strips, Improper Food Storage, and Uncovered Food Transport
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in the facility's food service operations. In both the Fire Side Grill Kitchen and Main Kitchen, staff were found using expired sanitizing solution test strips to check the effectiveness of sanitizing solutions. The Executive Chef acknowledged that all available test strips were expired and had not been replaced. In the Main Kitchen Dry Storage Room, unopened bottles of coconut aminos, balsamic vinegar, and Sriracha hot honey were observed to be past their use-by dates and had not been discarded as required by facility policy. Staff confirmed that these expired food items should have been removed from storage. Additionally, in the resident-use refrigerator, a half loaf of bread and a container of soup brought in by family members were found to be past the three-day limit for consumption and had not been discarded, contrary to facility policy. During meal tray delivery, staff were observed transporting uncovered food items, such as mandarin oranges and cake, through hallways to resident rooms, despite facility policy requiring all food items to be covered during transport. Staff interviews confirmed that these practices did not align with established food safety and handling protocols.