Failure to Maintain Pest-Free Kitchen Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a pest-free environment in the kitchen, as evidenced by multiple observations and interviews. The pest control company's recommendations to seal gaps, cracks, and broken tiles in the kitchen area were not completed, leaving large uncovered openings and holes. These unaddressed structural issues allowed rodents to enter the kitchen, as confirmed by the presence of rodent droppings found behind the oven and in the entry room to the dry storage area. The kitchen staff and maintenance director acknowledged that rodents had been seen in the kitchen, particularly near the floor drain behind the ice machine, and that the open holes and drains made it easier for pests to access the area. During inspections, the local health department identified multiple violations, including evidence of rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions such as an unsealed floor drain and a large uncovered hole in the dry storage room. The garbage area outside the facility was also found to be cluttered with cardboard boxes, worn appliances, equipment, linens, bins, and crates, which could attract and harbor pests. The facility's pest control reports from January to May indicated repeated recommendations to seal gaps and repair broken tiles, but these actions remained pending and unaddressed over several months. The failure to implement the pest control company's recommendations and maintain sanitary conditions in the kitchen led to the closure of the kitchen by the local health department due to the risk of food contamination from rodent activity. The facility's own policy required ongoing pest control and daily removal of garbage, but these standards were not met, resulting in unsanitary conditions and the potential for foodborne illness.