Improper Use of Unpasteurized Eggs and Inadequate Food Labeling
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe and sanitary food storage and preparation practices by storing and serving unpasteurized shell eggs and by improperly labeling and storing previously prepared pureed desserts. Observations revealed that unpasteurized shell eggs were kept in the reach-in refrigerator and used to prepare fried eggs for residents, despite facility policy and FDA Food Code requirements that only pasteurized eggs be used for soft-cooked egg items. The dietary staff, including the cook and Dietary Supervisor, were unaware that the eggs in use were unpasteurized, and the purchase order confirmed that regular shell eggs had been received and used. The Registered Dietitian also verified that the eggs were not pasteurized and emphasized the need for checking deliveries to ensure compliance. Additionally, seven single-serving containers of brown pureed food were found in the walk-in refrigerator without proper labeling, and the Dietary Supervisor could not identify the contents or confirm the correct storage period. The facility's policy required that all refrigerated, ready-to-eat TCS foods be labeled with a prepared date and a use-by date not exceeding seven days, but the pureed desserts were labeled with a 14-day range and lacked clear identification. These failures in food storage and preparation practices had the potential to result in harmful bacteria growth and cross-contamination, affecting the majority of residents who received food from the facility.