Failure to Ensure Staff Maintain Current Food Handler Cards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all staff involved in food preparation, distribution, and service maintained current food handler cards, as required. Specifically, out of 44 night shift staff, 10 had expired food handler cards and 14 had no proof of having a card at all. Additionally, among 11 cooks, two had no proof of a food handler card and one had an expired card. The deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which revealed that the facility was unable to provide documentation for many staff members' food handler cards and that expired cards were not being tracked or renewed in a timely manner. The Kitchen Manager was unaware of the expired cards and was unclear about who was responsible for ensuring that staff maintained current food handler cards after a change in facility ownership. Further review of staff schedules showed that both CNAs and nurses working evening and night shifts included individuals with expired or unknown food handler card status. The facility also lacked a clear, written policy for after-hours snack preparation and distribution, relying instead on verbal communication. The only available policy was a copied document from the previous owner, with handwritten amendments and corrections by the current Kitchen Manager. This lack of oversight and documentation resulted in unqualified individuals preparing and serving food to all 75 residents in the facility.