Failure to Maintain Kitchen Free from Flies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the kitchen free from flies, as observed during multiple inspections. On several occasions, small flies were seen on the ceiling and walls in the dish machine room, particularly around bins for shredded paper, refuse, and recycling, as well as in the food production and trayline areas. The Food Service Director (FSD) confirmed the presence of flies and was unaware of their occurrence until notified. Although the pest control company serviced the kitchen three times a week, specific actions to eliminate the flies were not taken when fly activity was identified. Documentation and interviews revealed that staff, including the Food Service Supervisor (FSS), regularly identified and documented the presence of flies and placed work orders for pest control intervention. Work orders and inspection checklists confirmed repeated sightings and pest control responses, such as vacuuming fruit flies. However, despite these reports and interventions, the fly problem persisted, and there was uncertainty about whether all necessary work orders were consistently placed. The ongoing presence of flies in food preparation and storage areas was not effectively addressed, as required by the 2022 Federal Food Code.