Deficient Food Storage and Labeling Practices in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's kitchen regarding food storage and preparation practices. Two personal food containers belonging to a dietary staff member were found stored inside a designated kitchen refrigerator, which was acknowledged by the dietary aide as inappropriate. Additionally, in the walk-in refrigerator, several opened food items—including a bottle of chocolate syrup, a bottle of caramel drizzle, a can of whipped cream, and a container of chopped onions—were found unlabeled. An opened carton of ice cream was also found unlabeled in the walk-in freezer. The dietary aide confirmed that all opened food items should have been labeled with the date they were opened and stored. The dietary supervisor further stated that all opened and prepared foods must be labeled with the date of opening or preparation and the date of storage, and that personal food items should not be stored in facility refrigerators. The facility's policy and procedure on sanitation and infection control requires that no outside food be stored in the food and nutrition services department, and that leftover and frozen foods be properly covered, labeled, and dated. These deficiencies were observed in a facility serving 99 residents, 95 of whom were medically compromised and received food from the kitchen.