Failure to Discard Outdated Jelly in Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that a container of jelly in one of the facility's refrigerators was labeled with an open date of 4/11/2024, which was beyond the 30-day period allowed for opened food items according to the registered dietician. The registered dietician confirmed during the observation that food items opened and stored in the refrigerator should be discarded after 30 days, and the jelly should not have remained in the refrigerator past this timeframe. The Director of Nursing also stated in an interview that food with a label date of 4/11/2024, whether open or closed, should not be present in the refrigerator due to potential harm. Facility policies reviewed indicated that food and supplies must be stored properly and safely, and that opened jellies, when refrigerated, are allowed for up to 6 months, which conflicted with the staff's statements. The presence of the outdated jelly in the refrigerator demonstrated a failure to follow safe food handling practices as observed and confirmed by staff.